The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-02-09 00:00:00

If I •••• ~..e. 4,11.4.1..1

AMERICA.
s' ti ‘1" 2ES.

PLM-YOlliC, JAS. IL.
Me, Gaines Deblois, of Boston, passenger in ths
'chooser Adrlrilr, irrPrn .rms us, that he
lett the port of Monte Video, in t)...e river Plata, on
the 2,6 ORober last, r.: tw:lve o'clock at night. in
a small French privateer sci.loner, called the (!.sear.
Captain Weis (the only vas.el that cad or would
have liberty to depart that port for some months).
and has handed to us the following intelligence re-
lative to South America:—

1. On the 517rh of June last, the Sapital of La Plata.
the city of Buenos Ayre was taken by an expedition
from the Cape of Good Hop?. ender the coriosuond
of Sir Home Popham and Major-General Bares-
ford,Neonsisting of about 1600 choice troops. and
without any loss, and a general capitutlition. They
kept possession of the city until the Aith August
follouving. when it was attacked and talfiro by an es-
pedition of 2000 men, from Monte Tides), by a
French Gentleman of the same of Linier (formerly
a naval officer) who was acaompanied lay a eumWe
ot the first merchants in Monte Video, and about SO
French Gentlemen, as volunteers. The battle wad
fought with re greatest obstinacy by the British ;
but headed by an intrepid officer, the Spaniards bore
down all. Tr.e loss of the British in killed, wounded,
and massacred, after they had surrendered, was by
Vie best accounts stated to be 420 men. and the Spa-
nish about 2)1, in killed and wounded ; but almost
7.eths of their wounded expired of their wounds,
owing as they say, to the British using poisonedhalls, but a well-informed French officer who
shared their dangers, told M. Debkis, it was not
the venomous hails of their enemies, but the igno-
rance and unskilfulness of their surgeons, which
killed the Spaniards.
o The Spaniard. retook their capital by storm, and
made prisoners et nearly 1200 English ; but a se-
rious dispute had taken place between General. Bo-
resford and General Linier. The English General
insited that a capi:ulation was mmir and signed
while the wl.ite 110.: was flying upllie the fortress,
end which the Spanish Commander absolutely. de.
sties ; however the prisoners were sem about 400
miles into the country, and it was reported, that
General Ileresford and his officers were comic to
Monte Vidco. to be sent to Europe, but it was after
wards thought more proper to order them t 6 Coe-
dovoir, only about 3SO leagues from Beene+ Ay,*
The common soldiers composing the expedition
from Monte Video, robbed and plundered every En.
gli,h abode at Buenos Ayres, and also every Spanish
house where an Englishman was seen its enterer VS.
side. They als) put into prison. among many others,
Mr. W. P. White (formerly of Boston) who had
been imineed to receive an office. such as Prise
agent itiider the Bitith Government, for semen be
was recompensed by being pot into close confine.
meat for two months, and with the British Officers,
was oblii,ed to take a ;tourney into the interior. No
strangers whatever were permitted to pap to Dumas
Ayres, as they mean. without emeptim, to exclude
all from thence, especially Americans.
et The British, upon their becoming masters of
Buenos Ayres, found only 1.200,000 dollars of
public property. (although there were six tissue,
that amount in the place), which they sent to
England in' the frigate Nercissas.—They had eat.
ht4ed a considerable quantity of copper and quick.
silver ; but as it was not taken on board the wand
sports. they got off only with the motley. Sir H:
Pop' am was in Buenos Ayres, when it was
and with great difficulty addled his eseaPnerE,atil
boat, to his ships; after which, with the exception
of one gun brig, left enticing between die
and Buenos Ayres, be brought his squadron. colt •
slicing of hi: own ship. Maces. Organs, Cam
Raiswieilt, 64. Capt. Rowley ; 4:139
Capt. Philips; 1 frigate, ft sloops of 'war, and se-
veral armed transports. down the river, and an-
chored in full view of the barbel* of Monte Video.
Some days be would have every ship under weigh
at other times only one or two of easy draught of was
ter. who would stand in so close, that the very inhabit
tants teak', discern the buttons on the officer. unite
for ins. Sir Home had sent into Monte Video upwards
of 20 lags of truce, demanding Beresford and his
troops, a supply of provisions. and some medicine*
for his sick and wounded. The Governor, tired of
such business, geperously sent Sir H. P. a supply
of fresh provisions. and also 23 English seamen,
which were brought into Monte Video a few menthe
previous, 10 an English Guinea-man ; and sayieg
that he should not respect any more Sags of trues
Irons that time. Sir H. Popham answered the Go-
vernor's civility. by accepting the fresh supply of
proildions. and receiving the seamen ; but. con-
trary to the arcuate observed in time of ware
about exchange of prisoners, he refused to deliver
up the like number of Spaniards, which he ini;ht
very easily lave done, as be had more than 90 in
his possession. which were taken hom a small
town on the south entrance of the River. Several
skirmishes had taken place between the Enelisti
vessels and Spanish gumboots and forts, and almost
every day saluted lAaata Video with 12 and 18.
pound shot.
hh Cosa the 12th 4uly last. an embeego was laid
on all vessels in the port of Maas Video, and conti.
mud with more than meal riper trim Yr. Deblois
sailed. 'lle reasons assigned seem: two, That
they wens going to IR mat an expedition to ret4ke
Buenos Ayres;}. 'Settled. That they were going to
expedite four vale& with dispatches for Spain •
And Thirdly, That the Ban:isehalundron envenom
ing for want of promeitmas. thou every body katir
to the contrary. as the • a man of war,
had been dispatched to. sad arrived froth, Rio Joii
neiro, with so much it a supply as to be obliged tai
caulk in her lower tier of gualorts.
a It was reported for truth, before Mr. DaMois
sailed, that Sir Home Popham had received a rani
fin cement of 5,500 men from the Cape of Good
ti vs. and which he is much inclined to suppose is
true, as he himself counted thirty-five sail at anther,
tree miles from Monte Video, between Point Cant
and the island of Flores, the same evening MI
sailed; and it was knowo that there were eighteen
sail more Arrived off staid-nado, a city at the north
entrance of Rio Plata. as tie GJYttliOT of Mena
Video had. the 23d OS. received a letter from she
Commandant at Maldonado. who wrote tn that ef•
feet. if this force has arrived. alao•a• """