The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-11-29 00:00:00

TEMPORARY BLOCKADE OF THE HARBOUR DT

A SPANISH sQUADKUN,
Extract of a letter dated Margarita, Srp!eni-
ber 24:

" About three weeks since we received information that
the Spaniards had collected all the vessel, they could mos-
tee, and all they could press into the service, to make au
attack on this island. W. were quite unprepared for de-
fence by sea et the time, the Admiral's fiarship being hoer
down to repair some damage she had inistaiiied, and the rest
of one Sect having sailed on a cruise. The enemy appeared
off the coast about noon on the Sob instant, with a ctioadron
consisting of eleven ships and mime gen-boats, roll of men.
We prepared t• receive them, not &otitis' they would at-
tempt a landing at daylight the next morning; but when
dawn appeared we discovered them at auchor at a very re-
spectful distance. They remained quiet for three days, and
on the 4th they weighed and seemed to be stsuding in for
the port ; but before they CUM within reach of our bat-
teries, they bore up again. Then demonstrations they
made daily up to the SSA, since when we have serii!outltiaut
of them. The cowards have, we believe, returned to port.
On the 21st a must interesting, sad, for the time, a painful
scene, presented itself. A small Cutter of Admiral Itrion's,
which was expected from one of the isleads, was disco,. red
at daybreak in the midst of the eaemy's fleet, and chased
by several of the vessels, which kept up a heavy fire upon
her. The Admiral's only son, • Rae and brave lad of IS,
together with Brion's brother-4c law, was on board the cot-
ter. What a prize fur the Spaniards! Nothing could bare
gratified them so much as the opportantly of skewing the
Admiral the horrid !prelatic a hi. son sad brother bangiug
at the yercbarm. You may guess his feelings. The few
gun-boats we hail were quietly mangled with the enthusiastic
followers of Brion, aad (will you believe it?) on the ap-
pearance of three of our boats they gave up the chase. The
little cutter arrived safely in the harbour, and the ratio r
embraced his child. I witnessed the entire scene—you may
iptagine with what feelings!
" Had the Spaniards effected • landing au their first ap.
pear•ace, they might have destroyed t►e town of luau
Grieco, but it would hove cyst them d►arly ; and as to pe-
netrating into the interior, it is out of the question. This
island is so strongly fortified by nature, owing to the abund.
ance of abort thick wood, that for an enemy to gain the
passes is impossible. The natives are so well trained, stud
each excellent shots, they could have picked them off like
rabbits.

" A few weeks since • vessel wsa east on shore on this
island, no board of which was Major Warmer, brother-in law
to Sir Robert Wilson, and a man of great property, chid!, in
West India estates, which be bad been to visit. and was on
his way to Trinidad for the sense porpoise, when the vessel
was driven on shore. They had been for three days without
provision, and bad gives up all hope. of seeing land again,
so much so, that the Mojar had written a letter with the in-
tention of committing it to the chance of the wave.. The
Major wrote to Sir Sobers Wilson of the handsome manner
is which he was received by Admiral Brion sod General
English. The Admiral sent his own cutler to Trinidad with
him. He promises to return to Margarita in a short time,
and even talks of accompanying General English on his next
expedition.
a The arrangements made by General Eogliah for the de-
fence of the island are greatly to his credit. He was inderm
logahle in his efforts; and, shortly after the first appearance
of the enemy, had culletted all the British troops from the
interior, and made a disposition of the native fiote, of which
the Governor had intrusted him with the command to the '
amount of 2,000. A fort was hastily raised, commanding
the town, on which a formidable battery of 32-posonoiers was
planted. The men lately arrived, belonging to General
D'Evereux's legion, assisted is raising thus fort, and it was
extremely pleasing to see the alacri y with which they wink-
ed at it. Siert the blockade commenced, several vessels
arrived here with another division of this enterprising udi-
eer's legion. We now count nearly LAOO British muskets of
his force skate. I never saw Gam fellows than these
Liab-
men : their appearance and eseduct is admirable. Of the
greater part of the sinters, I em mare I ran say the same.
Many, however, as might have bees expected, have turned
sot hut badly. Aimed sweaty, thank God ! have left us :
they sailed a few days hack is the Chichester fur St. The-
was's. They will, um doubt, cirenlate Gore stories; but, be-
lieve one. Ines puesessisg fewerof the qualification. fur a sol-
dier's life have seldom borne a commission. To give
you • specimen : Colonel 'a melt were disco.
blurted on Wednesday. Thursday he complained of
feeling newel', and on Friday romporated leave of 'bemire
fee nisi months to recruit his health at Jamaica (a climate
proverbially melsealthy to Enrolls a as). A part of this du tight y
officer's baggage consisted of aim dozen of lavender water.
What think Ton of that for a Yea simian soldier! He would
require a mole to carry his perfume. They complais, 1 ant
told, of privations. They certainly get uothing bet as
abundance of fat turtle, di ketone large fish, strung brandy,
with fresh baked bread, sail due dour fur cakes or puddings
every day ; plenty of delicious fruit, and a constaut welcome
at the General's or Admiral's table. The iub.ilaitaula wil-
lingly give up their haulms to them. The duly required of
them was andleividly easy, being only desired to drill them-
selves, that they might be able to discipline their was memen.
Thor, for them, was to,. Vela as exertion. Foarefor their.
health would not permit it ; and the allow's". were km
little to satisfy them, or to Maio even the appeasamee of
their services. 'nary have left us, and like all who have left
the serail*, they are mime holiday seldiMit. 1 Mirer knew an

Commissioner Muntinglee bad concluded some begociation
with the Sultan (the object slot distinctly known), ore cotes
ddion of which stipulated that three boatages Princes of
his family, should be surrendered to the Voreh: The tisoe
fixed upon was seven in the evening; but Muslieglw
patched a messenger, requesting that an earlier hour tort
be appointed. His envoy found • the gafra of the Kralove
closed, and saw preparations making .for battle, which in-
duced him to proceed to the corn nianding "Weer of shunt 20a
Dutch trooper stationed near the Palace, who *ere :ill 1.21.4
to embark for the other Fide of Ibe river, obese NI onto.4t e
was stationed. The troops embarked hastily with their
baggage, but were *red on from a battery of heavy gnus,
upwards of 30 in number, awl suffered roe/sides idsly. A cor-
vette and schooner, stationed in the river, opened a b. esy
fire wpm the Keaton soil battery, under the cover of stn.
the troops rushed to the assault. They found the outer
gate open (a traps.), but On ,woceetling to the se toad, met
with an warm a reception, ikji they eh ew off aOh the loss
of several men ; and about this time fire from the vessels
slackening for want of =monition, the booms were all e so-
b:Aced, and the place comely evacuated. They Lawe since
reached RenC3. and Mentinghe Is isarriseel here from that
place. He has proceeded sifter the Gores-oar. atm is :eh.
sent in the interior. The number of troops at Pines is
stated at 800; but a large expediliou is metered to he in ren-
des*. Gnus heave of 1,:s0O or 2,000 mew Nothiug will be
done until the receipt of else Governor's oink's, whirls lee
may flail expedient to give in person, soil will probably se.
tetra for that purpose. The native" in the mesa time will
have leisure to strengthen their defend Va. They are said to
have some heavy guts, abide are conjeciurcd to have beets
obtained from the wreck of the Alceste frigate. The Dose's
talk of sending one of their 74's with the troops, fur thee
purpose of demolishing the works ley the weighs of metal,
and if such • ship can. get up the river, it is supposed she
will effect that object.
The new settlement of Siescapore, to which Sir Stamfoid
Mlles is about to iransfer the seat of govenimem, IS
creasing is • most extraordissasy degree by the emigration of
Chinese and natives from Malacca, Mein, noel Lai3m, :out
being declared free for 10 years, sill must prolddr4 he
freely resorted 10. The abandonment of Hencoolen, need
other unprofitable settlements on the roast of Smolders,
seems, at all events, judicious; it is perfectly useless as a
check on the Dutch, and supported at au enormous es-
prase. _