The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1807-10-21 00:00:00

GENERAL MIRANDA.

Various unauthentic accounts having lately ap-
peared, respelling General Miranda, one of which,
copied from an American Paper, states that he was
reduced to the situation of a negro-driver, upon a
sugar plantation. in the West Indies, we insert the
following communication, received within a few
days, by a gentleman from his friend, a gentleman
of information and good sense, now residing in
Trinidad
General Miranda's plan for revellutionizing Soeth
America seems quite abandoned. He resides in
the town here as a retired individual. His troops
are disbanded, and the Lerieder is now dismantling ;
his confidential Secretary has hired himself to
keep a rnetchant's books, and attend his stores ; all
his other officers are dispersed, following their re-
spetnive avocations in different parts of the world.
He intended going to Europe in the present fleet ;
but, it is now said.that Ministers have requested him
not to quit his station, proposing shortly to aired
their attention to this quarter.
Miranda made but one effort on the M :ti, at
Coro, a large and populous inland town, about 13
mile: from the coast, of which he took possession.
Marching in at two opposite points, the patty that
first gained the market-place gave three cheers, and
fired a jiti de jeer, which the other detachment mis-
taking for the enemy, attacked, and fired dired on
their companions ; one or two were killed, and se-
veral wounded, before the error was discovered.
The Spaniards made no resistance whatever, most
of the inhabitants who were able to get out of town
Red to the country en Miranda's approach.
Proclamation after proclamation was issued
by the General, promising to respell pri
vete property, and the religion of the country ;
inviting the inhabitants to join his standard,
and the Continent would be independent and free ;
but so little security did his force (which never ex-
ceeded tl.ree hundred persons, many of whom were
neivier armed or clothed in a manner to inspire re-
sped) offer, that not a man ventured to join him.
Those who were favourably disposed to do so, told him
it woula Da a certain sacrifice of their property and
lieu, unless had a more numerous and effsollive
force is reserve ; and advised him, if he had not, to
retire. In the mean time, the country was collat-
ing on all sides, and some thousands of rabble ap-
peared on the heights. which, theugn he could nave
routed at any one post, yet so few were his nuns
bers, that his retreat would have been hazarded had
he advanced frets the town He even b. gan to ap-
prehend, that if he continued much longer in Coro,
nis communication with the shipping. and a retreat
to the coast, might be cut off ; he therefore marched
out in the sight, embarked, and quitted the coast.
If General Miranda bed the support of one Bri-
tish regiment, it is probable something important
would have been effetled, for tne country was in a
state of general alarm, and quite unprepared, it not
destitute of rite me ins of :hence i but, from his not
having a shadow of proteCtion to off-r those inclined
to join him, they were deterred from say co-opera-
tion.