The National Register.
London, England, 1819-11-29 00:00:00

SOUTH, AMERICA.

STATE Or THE BRITISH FORCE IN MAROARITATEISPOo
NANA? BLOCKADE OS THE HARBOUR BY ♦ SPANISH
SQUADRON.

Estrart of a Letter dated Margarita, Sept. 24:
" About three weeks since we received infbrina-
tion that the Spaniards had collected all the vessels
they could muster, and all they could press into the
service, to make an attack on this island. We were
quite unprepared for defence by sea at the time,
the Admiral's flag ship being hove down to repaid
soa►e damage she had sustained, and the rest of our
fleet having sailed on a cruise. The enemy appeurer
off the coast about noon on the sth instant, with a
squadron consisting of t 1 ships, and 9 gun-boats
full of men. We prepared to receive them, not
doubting they would attempt a landing at day• light
the next morning ; but when dawn appeared we
discovered them at anchor at a respectful distance.
They remained quiet for three days, anti on the 4th
they weighed and seemed to be standing in fOr the
port; but before they cu►ne within reach of our
batte• ies, they bore up again. These demonstrati-
ons they. made daily up to the 22d, since when we
have seen nothing of them. The cowards have, we
believe, returned to port. On the 2 st , a most
interesting, and for the time, a painful scene, pre-
sented itself. A small cutter of Admiral Brion's,
which was expected from one of the islands, was
discovered at day-break in the midst of the
enemy's fleet, anti chased by several of the vessels,
which kept up a heavy fire upon her. The Admi-
ral's only son, a fine and brave lad of 15, together
with Brion's brother-in-law, was on board the cut-
ter. What a- prize fin the Spaniards ! Nothing
could have gratified them• so much, as the opix►rtu-
tunity of showing the Admiral the horrid spectacle
of his son and brother hanging at the yard-arm.
You may guess his feelinw. The few gunboats
we had were quickly manned by the enthusiastic
followers of Brion, and you believe it ?) on the
appearance of three of our boats they rave up the
chase. The little cutter arrived safely in the
harbour, and the father embraced his child! I
witnessed the entire scene—you may imagine with
what feelings !
" Had the Spaniards effected a landing on their
first appearance, they might have destroyed the
town of Juan Griego, but it would have cost them
dearly and as to penetrating into the interior, it
is nut of the question. This island is so fortified
by nature,. owing to the abundance of short thick
wood, that for un enemy to gain the passes is impos-
sible. The natives are so well trained, and such
excellent shots, they could have picked them off
like rabbits.
"A few weeks since a vessel was east on shore
no this island on board of which was Major War-
ner, brother-in-law to 'ir Robert Wilson, and a
man of great property, chiefly in West India estates,
which he had been to visit, and was on his way to
Trinidad for the same purpose, when the vessel was
driven on shore. They had been fbr three days
without provision, and had given up all hopes of
seeing land again, so much so, that the major had
written a letter with the intention of committing it
to the chance of the waves. The Nlajor wrote to
Sir Robert Wilson of the handsome manner in
which he was received by Admiral Brien and Ge-
ner►l English. The Admiral sent his owl cutter
to Trinidad wish him. lie promises to return to
Margarita in a short time, and even talks of ac-
companying General English ott his next expe-
dition.

" The arrangements made by General English
flu. the definice of the island are highly to his credit.
He was indefittiguble in his efforts ; and, shortly
after the first appearance of the enemy, had col-
' lected all the I3rttish troops from the interior, and
made a disposition of the native force, of which the
Governor had intrusted him with the command to
the amount of Y,OOO. A fort was hastily raised,
commanding the town, on which a fl amidable but-
tery of 32 pounders was planted. The men lately
arrived, belonging to General 1) F,verenx's legion.
assist' d in raising this fort, and it was extremely
pleasing to see the alacrity with which they worked
at it. Since the block:ale commenced, several ves-
sels arrived here with another division of this
enterprising officer's legion. We now count nearly
1.500 British muskets of his foree alone. 1 never
saw finer fillows than these Irishmen : their ap-
pearance and conduct is admirable Of the greater
part of the officers, I am sure I can say the sane.
Some, however,. an. might have teen expected, have
turned out but badly. About 20, thank God, have
left us; they sailed a few days back in the Chi-

NOV 20.

cheater the St. Thomas's. They will, nu doubt,
circulate fine stories; hut, believe me, men pot.
sessing fewer of the qualifications for a soldier's !lib
have seldom borne a commission. To give you a
specimen : Col. —'s men were disembarked on
Wednesday. Thursday he complained of feeling,
unwell, and on Friday requested leave of absence for_
six months to recruit his health:at Jamaica, (a climate
proverbially unhealthy to Europeans.) A part of this
doughty officer's baggage consisted of six dozen of
lavender water. What think you of that for x Ve.
nezuelean soldier! Ile would require a mule to
carry his perfume. They complain, lam told, of'
privations. They certainly get nothing but an
abundance of fitt turtle, delicious large fish, strong
brandy, with fresh baked bread, and fine flour fur
mikes or puddings every day ; plenty of delicious
fruit, and a constant welcome at the General's or
Admiral's table. The inhabitants willingly give up
their hawses to them. The duty required of them
was sufficiently easy, being only desired to drill
themselves, that they might be able to discipline
their own men. This, for them, was too great an
exertion. Fears for their health would not permit
it ; and the allowances were too little to satisfy
them, or to retain even the appearance of their ser-
vices. They have left us, and like all who have
left the service, they are mere holy—day soldiers.
never knew an officer who had served, and who
knew how to endure the common privation:• of his
profession, make a single complaint.
" I am sorry to say, that the exertions of General
English * during this scene of alarm have thrown
him into a violent fever, and since the 21st he has
suffered dreadfully ; he is now declared out of dan-
ger. We look anxiously for the remainder of Gen.
I)'Evereux's legion. When they arrive, we shall be
very strong, and shall, no doubt, teach the Dons a
lesson they will not soon forget. Those already
here will embark for the main in a few days, to join
their brave countrymen ; they are at Maturin, about
four days' march from Cumana, a healthy place, and
well supplied." _

• The. de:uh fit General English, has been ini tweedy
stated su some of the papers, In have dually taken place.
The report came it. na) of Si. l'hoinaa'o, and uppeuto to
have iniAinatca in his dim ss

*C3V. :29.