THE TRIDENT. NAVAL TRANSACTIONS, Introductory Remarks-Description of Buenos Ayres-Loss of that Settlement-Capture of Maldonado-East Indies-Loss of the Warren Hastings-Atrocious conduct of Lieutenant Moreau-Other occurrences in the Indian Seas-West Indies Capture of the Pomona-Boats of the Alexandria-Hurricane at Dominica-Mediterranean-Boats of the Malpomene Minor actions. THE preceding volume closed with an account of the important capture of Buenos Ayres, by Sir Home Popham and General Beresford, on the second of July, 1806. No sooner was the agreeable intelligence of this event fully understood in England, than a number of ships were freighted for South America, the seat of our new conquest. It was the opinion of the best informed men, that nothing more would be requisite to insure the most extensive benefits from the acquisition which had been made, than to facilitate an intercourse between this country and South America. The Spanish government was so impolitic in its regulations, that the industry of the people had been totally discouraged, and one of the finest regions in the world deprived of its natural advantages. The removal of those restraints, and the protection of a just administration, would, it was thought, at once secure the prosperity of the governed, and command their gratitude. Wise and conciliatory measures, to gain the esteem and confidence of the people, would render them faithful subjects; and, in proportion as they might flourish under British protection, they would become unwilling to return to their former yoke. I was also believed, that the principles on which our commercial intercourse with the South American Colonies was to be carried on, would speedily be settled, and no doubt was entertained, that they would be favourable to the true interests of this country, at the same time that they would be calculated for the wants and interests of the conquered. The importance, however, of Sir Home Popham's capture, will be better appreciated from the following brief account of the province of La Plata, extracted from the excellent "Account of the European Settlements in America," published some years ago : "The country of Paraguay, or La Plata, shuts up the eastern side of a considerable part of Chili and Peru; whence extending over a tract of country above a thousand miles hroad, it bounds Brazil upon the west, and upon the south butts upon the Atlantic Ocean; being 1500 miles at least, in length, from the mouth of the great river Plata to its northern boundary, the country of the Amazons. This vast territory is far from being wholly subdued, or planted by the Spaniards: there are many parts in a great degree unknown to them, or to any other people of Europe. In general, this great country is fertile: the pastures particularly are so rich, that they are covered with innumerable herds of black cattle, horses, and mules, in which hardly any body thinks it worth his while to claim a property. "This country, besides an infinite number of smaller rivers, is watered by three principal ones, which unite near the sea, to form the famous Rio de la Plata. The first is Paraguay, from whence the country is denomi nated: this forms the main channel; it has its origin from a great lake in the centre of South America, called the lake of Ferajes, and runs in a course nearly north and south. Parana, which rises amongst the mountains on the frontiers of Brazil and Paraguay. "The principal province which concerns us in this vast tract, is that which is called Rio de la Plata. This province, with all the adjacent parts, is one continued level, interrupted by not the least hill for several hundred miles, every way; extremely fertile in most things, but, contrary to the general nature of America, destitute of woods: this want they endeavour to supply, by plantations of every kind of fruit trees; all which thrive here to admiration. The air is remarkably sweet and serene, and the water of the great rivers are equally fine and wholesome they annually overflow their banks, and, on their recess, leave them enriched with a slime, which produces the greatest plenty of whatever is committed to it. "The principal town is Buenos Ayres, on the south side of the river; it was so called, upon account of the excellence of the air. This town is the only place of traffic to the southward of Brazil; yet its trade, consi ́dering the rich and extensive country to which it is the avenue, is very inconsiderable. No regular fleet comes here, as to the other parts of Spanish America; two, or at most thrée, register ships, make the whole of their regular intercourse with Europe. Their returns are very valuable, consisting chiefly of gold, silver, sugar, and hides. I cannot learn that they have opened any considerable mines in this province; but it is probable there are rich ones in the provinces which lie to the eastward of the Andes: besides, it is certain that a good deal of gold is returned from Chili, for the mules, cattle, and tea, which are sent thither; and that silver from the province of Los Charcas, in Peru, is sent upon the same account, for the most part by land carriage. There is, besides, a tolerable water carriage; for a large river, called Pilcomago, rises not far from the mines of Potosi, which winding amongst the openings of the Cordilliras, discharges itself at last into the Paraguay; and this river. is navigable to the very source, allowing for the interruption of some falls, which is the case of the river Plata itself. By this way it is, I judge, that a great quantity of silver comes to Buenos Ayres. Indeed it is in great plenty in that province; and those who have now and then carried on a contraband trade to this country, have found it far more advantageous than any other whatsoever. The benefit of this contraband is now wholly in the hands of the Portuguese, who keep magazines for that purpose in the adjacent parts of Brazil." Sir Home Popham, as soon as he had found himself in complete possession of Buenos Ayres, wrote back to the Cape of Good Hope, in the most urgent terms, for a naval reinforcement; which, had it been sent in time, would, there is scarcely a doubt, not only have prevented the recapture of the settlement, but have put Monte |