From hence lighters convey the cargoes to the parts of Spain and Portugal; but at Buenos Ayres, outer roads.

The entrance of this creek is obstructed by a bar, and during the prevalence of westwardly winds, there is not water enough for the lighters to pass. This circumstance often occasions great detention in loading.

where fuel is so scarce, this drying quality in the air enables the inhabitants to burn in their furnaces and kilns, the flesh and bones of animals. Sheep were formerly dryed, stacked, and sold at two dollars and a half the hundred for these purposes. From the mildness of the climate, and the

The tides extend a great distance up the river, abundant pasture afforded by the extensive plains but their duration depends upon the winds. Indeed the currents are so very uncertain and run with such rapidity, that it is advisable to heave the log with a lead attached to the line.

of Buenos Ayres, the cattle originally brought from Spain have become so numerous, that they furnish the chief support of the inhabitants; this is, perhaps, the cause of the miserable state of the interior The city of Buenos Ayres is built on the south of this country. It is not uncommon to see a proshore of the river, and extends along the bank prietor of a league square of land, owning several nearly three miles. The streets interesect each thousand head of cattle, and sheep, and horses, other at right angles, dividing the town into solid living in a miserable hut, and having the bare necessquares of 150 yards each. The houses are gene-saries of life. His house is covered with hides; his rally two stories high and are built with terrace furniture is made of the same materials. His yard roofs. The city is defended by a fort, and is is enclosed by a few stakes, bound together with ornamented by convents, nunneries, churches, and thongs; and he may be seen, with his herdsmen, the buildings formerly appropriated to the royal seated by a fire, cutting off slices of beef from a monopolies. The population of Buenos Ayres and spit stuck in the ground, and eating it without of the adjacent country was estimated at about bread or sal*.

70,000 souls.

In the vicinity of Buenos Ayres there are some The climate is healthy and temperate. The very productive farms; and wheat and corn are northerly winds, when moderate, last for several raised in great abundance by simply scratching the days, and have the effect of the Sirocco on the ground with a wooden plough, and harrowing in feelings. When violent, this wind seldom lasts the grain by drawing over it a hide filled with longer than twenty-four hours, shifting to the south earth; even in the centre of the plains there are and southeast with rain and thunder. These storms some spots cultivated in grain, but the distance are invariably terminated by a Pampero, or south-from a market, prevent their raising more than west wind. The west and west north-west winds sufficient for their own consumption: The eastern blow with great violence, but are not frequent. shore of the river of the Uruguay, including the During the prevalence of the southwestwardly shore of La Plata, abounds with cattle, and most winds, the atmosphere is remarkably dry, and the of the inhabitants are shepherds; where the land electric fluid requires very great activity. On is cultivated it has been found very productive, passing the low ridge which skirts the river, the and this territory was the most valuable of the eye extends over an immense plain, spotted with intendancy of Buenos Ayres. Paraguay is an a few settlements and enclosures of the cylindrical agricultural province; and the domestic manufacopuntia, which attains a great height in this climate. tures supply all the wants of the inhabitants. The Orchards of peach trees are cultivated to supply the town with fuel. The trees are planted very close to each other and are kept low, so as to resist the force of the winds, which tear up larger

trees.

effects of the government of the Jesuits is still felt in this country. The people generally receive the rudiments of education, and are very subordinate to their leaders. They were organized into regiments of militia, and it is said that Paraguay can bring into the field upwards of 40,000 men. Many of the provinces of Upper Peru, possess mines; and the population is divided between the wealthy proprietors, the speculators, and those who work in the mines; and here is to be found all the corruption and misery which are inseparable from this species of gambling.

The uncultivated plains in the vicinity of the city are overgrown with the wild artichoke. This wood grows with such luxuriance, that in the great scarcity of fuel, it is used to heat stoves and ovens. These plains or pampas extend one hundred and sixty leagues in a west course from Buenos Ayres. They resemble very much the steeps of the south of Russia. Both exhibit the same boundless, unbroken expanse, the same fertility of soil during the rainy season, and dry parched appearance in the heat of summer; the total absence of trees; the streams few, flowing with a sluggish current and brackish to the taste; the lakes and ponds of both encrusted with salt. This mineral efflorescence In the city of Buenos Ayres, property is equally on the surface of the soil in some places giving it divided; there are no very large proprietors, no the appearance of being covered by a hoar fost. entailed estates, and but little property in mortThe character of the inhabitants adds to the resem- main; the inhabitants are generally well informed, blance. The Querandis or Indians of the pampas and their intercourse with foreigners has given are Nomades, living in temporary huts and tents them habits of industry.

Cochabamba, and some other provinces, are agricultural, and the inhabitants are active and intelligent; during the time Upper Peru was in the power of the royalists, the spirit of the revolution has been kept up in these provinces by the Guerillas of Cochabamba.

on the borders of the rivers; and when they have There is very little mixture of blood in Buenos exhausted the pasture on one spot, roving with Ayres, and there are only three casts: the Creoles, their herds and flocks to where it is abundant. Indians, and negroes. Notwithstanding, this port The small dear of the pampas resembles the was for sometime the entreport of the African antilope of the steeps; and the spur winged Thegel trade; very few slaves remained at Buenos Ayres, is common to both. On these plains animal putre- and the government has been able to emancipate faction scarcely goes on at all. On the borders of them without any serious injury to society. the rivers, and in low wet places, the entrails of Previous to the late revolution, the means of animals putrefy, but on the high land, animal education were withheld from the Creoles. It is substances will dry up. This is the case in some true that there were colleges at Cordova, Chu

quisaca, and Santiago de Chile, where the student more tha. two or three hundred; sometimes of less was taught Latin, law, and theology; but they were than one hundred persons. Since the commenceprohibited from reading any book that could ment of the revolution there has been a constant enlarge their views, or give them an idea of their struggle for power between the capital and the civil or political rights. Every work that bore provinces. the stamp of genius was prohibited by the inquisi

tion.

Buenos Ayres has hitherto maintained the ascendancy, from the superior intelligence of the It was considered sinful to read any book marked inhabitants, and from having within itself the with the censure of the church, and was deemed means of carrying on the war; the duties on imports an act of piety to denounce any one who was known and exports furnish the principal resources of the to possess such a work. government, and the leaders of the revolution are When this restraint was removed, they read for the most part citizens of Buenos Ayres. The eagerly the theories of speculative politicians, and provinces are governed by a commander appointed the controversies and attacks on the Christian re-by the executive of Buenos Ayres. Paraguay first ligi,published at the commencement of the French revolted from this dependence on the capital, and revolution; they saw the monstrous absurdity of from the commencement of the revolution to the the doctrines which had been taught them, and present day has bees governed by its own chiefs: they too often stopped there, and became sceptics they are not at war with Buenos Ayres, but have in religion and in politics, wild, and theoretical; no connexion nor hold any communication with their legislators were ignorant of the principles of that government; they too have tried a great many political economy, and the common maxims of the political experiments, and their present form of science of legislation. government is copied from the ancient Roman: it In the first government, the executive and legis. consists of a senate, and two consuls. Frances, lative powers were vested in the deputies of Bue the principal leader in the revolution, is said to nos Ayres; next, in an assembly of all the deputies govern that country despotically. As in Buenos from the chief towns. This assembly transferred Ayres, the constitutional restrictions have been their executive powers to a junta of three, and found a feeble check to the arbitrary exercise of styled themselves the sovereign assembly, declar. military power. ing the executive and magistrates subordinate to The inhabitants of the eastern shore of La Plata them; the executive refused to acknowledge their have refused to submit to the capital, and have sovereignty, and published an estitute or provi- successfully opposed the arms and negociations of sional constitution. By this constitution, one mem- Buenos Ayres: their character is represented as ber of the executive resigned his office at the ex- turbulent and daring, but they are warlike and piration of every six months, and no one could act, enthusiastically attached to their leader, Artigas, as president, for a longer period. The new mem- who contends for independence, both from the go. bers were to be elected by an assembly composed vernment of Spain and from that of Buenos Ayres. of the municipality of the representatives of the No government has ever been organized on the towns, and of considerable number of citizens territory of the eastern shore, owing to the dissenelected by the people of the capital, according to tions between the capital and the provinces; the the manner to be hereafter prescribed by this go-people of Peru have not taken a very active part vernment. The government formed a high court in the revolution, and many Creoles were to be of appeal; they decreed the liberty of the press, found in the royal armies; the influence of the and the security of individuals from illegal arrest. clergy contributed for sometime to this state of These decrees have been renewed by each succes-things; by the Spanish laws, the high offices in sive government; but the people of these countries the convent were divided alternately between the never have enjoyed the freedom of the press or European and the Creole monks: the church being individual security. This junta took the title of the only road to preferment open to the Creoles, the superior provisional government of the United they crowded into it; but this alternative balanced Provinces of the river of La Plata, in the name of their influence. The European monks, sent from Ferdinand the seventh. Pamphlets No. 1, contains Spain, were chosen from among the most zealous the constitution and the decrees. Shortly after and intelligent; and from the pulpit and in the con. this estitute was published, the assembly was disfessional chair successfully inculcated the doctrines solved; after dissolving another assembly, this go of divine right, and of unqualified submission to vernment was abolished, and a supreme director the king, and above all, of implicit belief in the chosen. The congress afterwards assembled and infalibility of the clergy. confirmed this form of government, and the same The government of Buenos Ayres abolished the men who voted to deprive the president of the alternative, and banished some of the most intole first junta of all distinctions, and whose fears were rant of the European monks and clergy. excited by his having an escort of twenty five Creoles who have taken orders, are enthusiastic in dragoons, have vested the supreme director with favor of the revolution, and have been highly useregal power, and bave given him a guard of threeful to that cause in the interior provinces. The hundred select cavalry. influence of the clergy in the city of Buenos Ayres,

The

In all these changes the people have borne but appears to be at an end. The condition of the peolittle part. In a capital, containing upwards of ple of Chile is different from that of any other of 50,000 inhabitants, not more than five or six hu- the Spanish colonies; the country is, for the most dred have ever voted; and the town meetings which part, in the hands of large proprietors, who let generally decided the change of rulers, and often out their lands to tenants, upon the conditions of the form of government, were rarely composed of

*The practice of the law in these countries was not, as in the United States, an open appeal to im partial justice; but the art of multiplying acts and procrastinating a suit, until the favor of the judge was secured by bribery or influence.

personal service, and of the payment of a moderate rent in produce: as the landlord may, at will, drive the tenant from his farm, or augment the rent, ac cording to the increased value, the farmers are leterred from improving their houses or land, and content themselves with raising what is necessary to pay the landlord, and to subsist their familie:

of La Paz, but, being without fire arms, or ignoran of the use of them, they were repulsed with great loss; after a hopeless contest of three years, they were defeated by the combined armies of Buenos Ayres and Lima. Tupac Amare, who had been proclaimed Inca, fell into the hands of the conquerors, and, together with the principal leaders torments. This decisive action put an end to the insurrections of the Indians of Peru, and these colonies remained tranquil until the sudden inva~ sion of the English in 1806,

most of the large estates are grazing farms, and the personal services of the tenants, consists prin cipally in tending the cattle; they are expected, however, at all times to be ready to obey the orders of their landlord. Many of these estates are entailed, and all of them encumbered with some legacy to the church: more than half the property in Chile is in mortmain. With few exceptions, of the revolt, was put to death with the most cruel the clergy have been opposed to the revolutions in each of the districts. In Chile there is a regiment of militia cavalry, well mounted, and armed with lances: these regiments are under the control of the colonel, and have, in every instance, followed him to the field, and fought for the cause he espoused. Unfortunately, this country has been divided into violent and irreconcilable factions, by two powerful families. The Carreras and Larrains, both equally anxious to liberate their country from the yoke of Spain, and both using every means in their power to obtain the command.

In Lima there bas been no revolutionary move ment. The landed estates are in the hands of large proprietors, and are cultivated by slaves; they are fearful, that any attempt to change the form of government, would be attended by a loss of their property, and from the great number of blacks and mulattoes in this vice royalty, the contest would probably terminate in the same manner as the revolution of St. Domingo.

Sir Home Popham, aware of the disposition of his government to obtain a footing in the Spanish colonies, and well informed of the defenceless stato of Buenos Ayres, determined to make an attack upon that city; instead of returning direct to England from the Cape of Good Hope, he entered the river La Plata, and to the astonishment and consternation of the inhabitants, general Berresford landed a few miles below the city of Buenos Ayres, and with two thousand men. The vice roy Sobremente, was panic struck; arms were distributed to the militia, who, ignorant of their use, ran out without order to look at the enemy, and general Berresford marched into the city and took possession of the citadel without opposition. Don Juan Martin Pueyrredon was the only officer who, at the head of a company of hussars, harassed the enemy's march.

Buenos Ayres and Chile bave been virtually independent for the last eight years, and the effect Sir Home Popham returned to England with the upon the character and condition of the people, fleet, and general Berresford did every thing that has been highly beneficial. The human mind ap- could be expected, from a brave and generous pears to have risen with elasticity, from the weight commander, to reconcile the inhabitants, and to of tyranny which had so long oppressed it, and to secure his conquest. These officers had calculated have improved rapidly in the arts, in knowledge, only the facility of surprising the town, and had and in all the comforts and enjoyments of life; overlooked the difficulty of keeping possession of these are benefits which will not be surrendered an enemy's country with a small force, at so great without a desperate struggle. Their forces are a distance from their resources. The inhabitanis numerous, well organized, and disciplined; and were irreconcilably opposed to the British. The were the provinces united, they possess the means chevalier de Liniers, a French emigrant in the of defending themselves against the efforts both service of Spain, passed over to the eastern shore of Spain and Portugal. Their dissentions and of the river, and excited the inhabitants to arms; ambition, render them, in the opinion of some, un- and the vice roy, who had fled to Montevideo, worthy to be free; but let us recollect, that the assembled a small force, the command of which virtues which adorn society, and brighten the page was given to Liniers; he crossed the river, and was of history, are the offspring of freedom and science; joined by all the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres, who and that when a people have been, for centuries, could escape the vigilance of the British sentinels. kept in subjection by ignorance and superstition, The English commander, being summoned to the first effort to burst their fetters, will call into surrender the town, signified his determination action the most violent of the human passions, and to defend himself to the last extremity. General hur:y men to commit the greatest excesses. The Liniers, at the head of his irregular forces, imme course of such a revolution, will be too often diately commenced the attack, and soon drove the stained by cruelties and crimes, and will almost garrison into the fort, where they were forced to inevitably terminate in a military despotism. From capitulate. the mild and intelligent character of the Creoles of South America, there is every reason to hope, that when emancipated from Spain and relieved from these present difficulties, they will follow the bright example of the United States, and establish a government of laws.

The British general officers were sent, on their parole, to Luxan, a small town twelve le-gues from Buenos Ayres, and the rest of the prisoners were marched into the interior.

The emancipation of the Spanish colonies, appears to have been a favorne project of Mr. Pt. From the year 1580, when the city of Buenos The ex-Jesuit, Don Juan Pablo Viscardi Gusman, Ayres was permanently settled, until the year a native of Arequipa, and an enthusiast in favor of 1778, the history of these countries comprises only the liberty of America, hd frequent conferences a series of domestic vexations from the despotism with that minister, and his answers to a series of of vice ros, of privations from monopolies and enquiries presented to him, give a favorable view commercial restrictions, and of sufferings from of the facility with which revolution might be wars foreign to their interests. In the year 1778,effected in that country. He afterwards published the Indians of the provinces of Upper Peru, made in London, an eloquent appeal to his countrymen, an ineffectual attempt to shake off the Spanish extorting them to shake off the yoke of Spain. yoke, they assembled in great force and under the During he administration of Mr. Adams, some com and of Tupac Amaru, a descendant of the proposals, on this subject, are said to have been Ideas of Peru, plundered and destroyed a great made to our government by the British ministry, many small towns; they twice laid siege to the city which were not acceded to. In 1797, a disposi>

SUP. TO VOL. XVI.

tion to emancipate their country was manifested a large proportion of the inhabitants ripe for reby the inhabitants of the Caraccas, and was encou-volt; and great numbers were anxiously looking to raged by general Picton's proclamation, issued a separation from their mother country, as the fom the island of Trinidad. only means of availing themselves of the natural

In 1801, Mr. Pitt's eagerness to open this maradvantages of their local situation. It was there ket to the trade of Great Britain, induced him to fore naturally concluded, that people who feel aid the untimely and ill planne expedition of themselves oppressed rather than protected, as exMiranda, and it appeared, at the trial of sir Home cluded by restrictions, founded upon a narrow and Popham, that the administration had countenanced selfish policy, from many commercial advantages, the attack on Buenos Ayres. would gladly change their government; and if it From the little opposition experienced by the were once established in a military post in the British troops on this expedition, and from the fa- country, the above causes would make it easy to cility with which Buenos Ayres had been occupied, open an extensive intercourse with the inhabitants, the plan of emancipating these colonies appears to and new channels for trade and commerce. have been relinquished, and the conquest of all! It was supposed, that the character of this counthe Spanish possessions in America determined ry, for liberality and good conduct towards those upon by the British cabinet. This change of poliwho came under our dominion, insured as the cy may be inferred from comparing the proclama good wishes of the greater part, and the co-operation of sir Thomas Picton, published at Trinidad tion of a large proportion, at least, of the commuby order of Mr Dundas, minister of his Britannic nity. The public hopes and expectations were majesty for foreign affairs, dated 26 h of June, raised to the highest pitch, and no suspicion es1797, and the instructions given in 1807, to gene-isted that it was possible for the greatest part of rals Whitelock and Crawford. The former en- the population of South America to entertain any courages the inhabitants "to resist the oppressive other than a just feeling of attachment to our goauthority of their government;" and declares, that vernment; still less, that it was possible that such a "they may be certain, whenever they are in that disposition, to receive all the succours to be ex pected from his Britannic majesty, be it with forces, or with arms and ammunition, to any extent; with the assurance that the views of his Britannic ma jesty go no further than to secure to them their independence, without pretending to any sove reignty over their country, nor even to interfere in the privileges of the people, nor in their political, civil, or religious rights."

rooted antipathy could exist against us, as to justify the assertions, (the truth of which has been proved to demonstration) that we had not, when I arrived in South America, among the inhabitants, one single friend in the whole country. Whether the opinion of the illustrious statesman,† now no more, who had so frequently turned his thoughts towards South America, had led him to contemplate the propriety of establishing military posts there, or the co-operating only with those who would gladly The instructions of the right honorable Mr. have followed the example of North America, and Windham, secretary at war, to generals Whitelock availed themselves of our assistance, in establishing and Crawford, were in a different spirit. The firs their independence, I have no means of knowing, was to proceed, with the forces under his com-but, experience has shown, that any course of promand, to the river of Plata, and to take possession ceeding than that last mentioned, even if most sucof Buenos Avres, in the name and behalf of his cessful, and almost in proportion to success, inust Britannic majesty. He is ordered not to intro-have had the effect of placing us at a greater disduce into the government any alteration, except tance, than even from our ultimate objects, those in the appointment of individuals whose change of friendly intercourse and trade with the country. should be found necessary; nor to give any assurance that they shall not be given up to Spain at the conclusion of the present war.

It is supposed in my intructions, that after effecting my first object, I might safely part with a proportion of the force under my command, and reGeneral Crawford was to proceed to the river tain only about eight thousand, which, it was of L Piata, subject to the orders of general White supposed must, in any case, in addition to such lock. Thence, as it was supposed that his forces troops as I might raise in the country, be amwould not be required after the reduction of Bue ply sufficient to conquer and keep possession of nos Ayres, he was directed to pass round Cape the country; for such had been the misrepresentaHorn, and take possession of Valparaiso. He is tions to government upon this subject, that it was ordered to discourage all hopes of any other change supposed, that a considerable force of this descripin the condition of these countries, than that of trans tion might with safety be established. I was diferring their dominion to the crown of Great Britain. rected, as the court will have observed, to use preThe generals on the A lantic and Pacific, are in- caution as to the raising of this local force; and structed to establish a line of military posts across particularly to take care, that one-third of each the continent. Their operations are limited strict rank of officers should be British, and to select the ly to these points, whatever prospects of easy con- description and classes out of which it was to be quest may be held out from the defenceless state framed; but, subject to these precautions, it was of Peru, as an untimely movement might defeat conceived, and so stated in my instructions, that the ulterior operations intended against those much aid might be derived from this source towards countries. These instructions are to be found securing his majesty's possessions in that quarter, among the official documents annexed to the re- and avoiding, at the same time, the necessity of too port of general Whitelock's trial, published in large a demand on the regular forces of this coun1808. try, (I use the very words of the instructions,) The following extract from general Whitelock's such, as the court will have seen, was the impres defence, will show the effect of this policy upon sion in this country, on my appointment to the the inhabitants of Buenos Ayres; and will give the command. What was the actual situation of the opinion of the commanders of that expedition, with country on my arrival? respect to the means of defence.

"It was known that the people were divided into factions, and that various causes had rendered

Great Britain. †Mr. Pitt.

I naturally resorted to the very able and expe- Whitelock, arrived in the river of Plata, on the 9th rienced officer who commanded at Montevideo, of May, 1807, and after remaining at Montevideo and who had diligently employed himself in acquir.until the arrival of general Crawford's division, the ing every possible information upon this subject. British army proceeded up to Buenos Ayres; gene. I found that in the course of his operations against ral Whitelock, following the example of general Montevideo, and after its capture, he had every Berresford, landed his troops below the town, and reason to believe, that the people were, without experienced incredible difficulty in the transportaexception, inimical to us; that previous to the surtion of his artillery over the low swampy lands render of Montevideo, he could place no cónfi- which skirt the borders of the river. dence in any information he received, and that, The country people were decidedly hostile, and after its capture, a sullen silence pervaded every none could be prevailed upon to serve as guides rank. But he also found reason to believe, that or to procure cattle for the army. The columns however inimical they were to us, they were still mistook the road and the men were almost famished more so to their present government, for upon re- when they arrived before the town. The want of ports arriving at Montevideo, which afterwards proper accommodations for his troops, and the proved false, of the abolition of the court of au- dread of the rainy season, induced general Whitedienza, the setting aside of the king's authority, lock to order an immediate attack. During the and not hoisting the Spanish colors, those who had march of the British troops from Ensenad, the appeared hos il- and inveterate, now pressed him inhabitants of Buenos Ayres recovered from their to advance a corps to Buenos Ayres, and assured him first panic; and dispositions were made to defend that if he would acknowledge their independence, the town by cutting ditches across the principal and promise them the protection of the English go streets, placing the militia on the flat roofs, and vernment, the place would submit. securing the entrance of the houses.

The party in power were mostly all natives of Sir Samuel Auchmuty, who commanded one Spain, in the principal offices of church and state, column of attack, entered the upper part of the and devoted to the Spanish government. The se- town, and after a sanguinary conflict, drove the cond party consisted of natives of the country, with Spaniards from the square, and took possession of some Spaniards settled in it. The disposition of the plasa de oros, a large circular building, where the mother country bad made them most anx the bull fights are held. This position commands ious to shake off the Spanish yoke, and though, the whole town. General Crawford led the column from their ignorance, their want of morals, and which entered the lower part of the town; he met the barbarity of their dispositions, they were totally with little opposition, until he had advanced withunfit to govern themselves, they aimed at following in a few hundred yards of the fort; suddenly a the steps of the North Americans, and erecting tremendous fire was opened upon the column from an independent state. If we would promise them the windows. Bombs and grenades were showered independence, they would instantly revolt against down upon the ranks from the roofs of the houses; the government, and join us with the great mass without petaras, scaling ladders, or even axes, the of the inhabitants. The next consideration was troops in vain endeavored to break open the doors; our giving up the footing we had in South Ameri- and general Crawford, after losing half his force, ca. On this subject many important considerations without being able to make any effectual resistance, presented themselves. First: The situation of the retreated into a large church, where he defended country, and the nature of our instructions. It himself for some time; the church was exposed to was supposed from the information received by the fire of the fort, and he was at length compelled government, that the country would be conquered to surrender at discretion. This decided the fate and kept in subjection by 8000 troops, which was of the expedition. considered as a large force; but the information

received by goverment upon this subject, must of general Crawford's columns, and it was intimat General Whitelock was informed of the capture have been founded in ignorance of the true state of ed to him, that if the attack continued it would the country. I found, on my arrival, that the re-be impossible to protect the prisoners from the sistance we should have to contend with, far ex ceeded every calculation; not a single friend had rage of the people. Finding that the object of the we in the country, on the contrary every inhabi into a treaty with Liniers, by which he agreed to government could not be accomplished, he entered tant was determined to exert his individual strength. evacuate Montevideo, and the territory of the river Upon this subject, I rely upon the experience of of La Piata, provided he was permitted to resir Samuel Auchmuty, who stated that double the embark his troops. These conditions were im number of troops I have mentioned would be re,mediately conceded, and the British forces aban quired to conquer and keep possession of the country."doned the shores of La Plata. On the return of the vice roy Sobremente from

Montevideo, the people refused to receive him, The expedition under general Whitelock, assiste and wished to proclaim Liniers. That officer ed by the disposition of the people, might have appeased the tumult and reinstated Sobremente in secured the emancipation of these colonies, but his command. The cabildo, however, deposed him was not adequate to transfer their dominion to the as soon as they heard of the approach of another crown of Great Britain. British expedition, and gave the command to Li- The revolution in Spain changed the destination niers. They then despatched a deputation to Spain, of a still more formidable expedition fitted out by in consequence of which Sobremente was recalled Great Britain, and intended for the final conquest and Don Santiago Liniers appointed vice roy of Lof these colonies. Morsuer de Chasne, an emiss try

Plata.

The advanced guard of the second expedition, under the command of sir Samuel Auchnuty, tand ed on the eastern shore of the river of La Plata, and laid siege to Montevideo. Soon after batteries were opened, a breach was made, and the place taken by assault. The main body, under general

of Nepoleon, arrived in Buenos Ayres in 1808. The vice roy, Liniers, laid his despatches before the audienza, and the cabildo, and Monsuer de Chesne as sent off. He afterwards fell into the hands of general Elio, and after experiencing the most cruel treatment, was sent back to Buenos Ayres, from whence he was conveyed as a prisoner to Cadiz.