Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-07-19


gfess and success. The history Of The
early part of the French revolutionary war
affords ample proof of Miranda's ability
as general; and the confidence which
the most experienced generals, and The
then governing power III France placed in :
nm, sbews his capacity 10 undertake the
most extensive and arduous enterprize.
The projeGl OF breaking the yoke of op-
preston which Spain groaued under, was
not originally confined to the revolutions
lzing her colonies only, bat we find that
in Oclober. 1872, while Miranda was EN-.
gagged with Dunoarier in Plan for the
invasion ot Belgium, The executive powet
and leading members of the French con-
ventIon had formed design Of attacking
aud notwithstanding Spain itself. For this
purpose they sent by an express, an order
10 general Miranda, recalling him to Pa.
RS; on hi, arrival there ne was informed,
that an army was cole ctrd towards the
frontiers of Catalonia, for the purpose Of
'nlrodncing liberty into Spain, aud ,hathe
was appointed 10 the iefcommand. Mi
randa, however, al this tiEle beginning TO
suspect that the true principles of free
France, declined The command, from the
irpoiicy and inpracticahli,y of the en-
'erprize at that time, and was successful
enough 10 persuade The members of The
military council TO relInQuish the UNDER
taking.
Miranda having immediately after re-
joined hts army, was pursuing the most
UNINTERRUPTED successes in favor OF France,
and having entered Ruremonde, wa. ful.
loving the enemy 10 Wasse,nberg and
berchen, when he received an express
from Dumourier, requiring his immediate
presence al Liege.
The motive upon which Dumourier
had written to general Miranda TO ioin
him was, letter from member of the
committee OF general defence, informing
HIM that government had agreed 10 ap-
point general Miranda commander i'm
Chief OF the Frcnch islands in he West
indies, were an army of Il, 900 regulars,
5000 people of colour, and a ileet of
some sail OF the line was collected for
the purpos. of making the Spanish colo
nles,ln America tree and independent
that general Miranda was to be entrust.
should think ptopsr--lhat frgate was
waiting for him a, Brest and should i'm
media ely sail, &c. Though ,,he obiea
of This plan was NOT disappio,ed (as that
oflhe revolution Of Spain had previously
been), by general Miranda, yet he thought
tina, the position of France a, that mo-
ment was no; safe, aud above all, was less
sanguine than many hers in his expec.
talIons OF The benefits, TO be expected from
these political principles, than began 10
be propagaled 10 France al that period /:
ne therefore demonstrated strongly against
me undertaking al that moment aid beg
g'ng them to postpone il fer better op-
poftuniy, being matter of too great
Importance and oftoo much consequence
20 mankind 10 be bazirded in that indi.
gesled manner, and at period Of SO much
uncertainty, confusion and dissgreeinent..
i'he force of his reasoning was Justly adj
mitied, and his counsel followed.
80 Some people have blamed general Miranda.
fornot hayins s@izedti,a. opportunity ofexlend.
inS ireeooe1 and ind-pendsnce 10 his naive cDun-
Try Bu' IL has sufficiently appealed, by subse.
qnent events, That If ne had followed the line OF
lcon'ptt, p cposed, ne night have been he irstru.
H-lt OF est3biihIng anarchy AMI ceSpoiism IN
stead OF liberty and j. must be matter OF sim
eere satisfaction to gener:i Miranda thar he was
the means of preventing inca'euiaoe evils both
to Spain and Souih America" ,f,
In our last we drew up an has.y sketch of tlf.
progress of his expedi ION. as far a. it had pro.
oeeded, and the TRANSIENT miscarriage %. .-hisr
hrst attempt; we are now enabled 20 add some
more accurate particulars ;--Ssne I'll Miranda
let' the United Sta es ia The American ship Lei
ander, on the 2nd of February; he touched az,
Jaequenel, expecting to be jjined b. other A.
mercan vessels and troops, and nor for the ptr-
pose { engaging the revoked blacks of that co.
iony IN his enterprise some of tie agens OF
spanish oppression (of course enemies 10 his no.
bic design, by resofing falschood. (ihe mise.
rable sub,eriuge Of weak head and dep aved.
heart, Tor supporting bad csuse). have ende1-
vored topursuads the unfortunate people of South
a rnefica.
the skirmish of the 2s,h April. upon TAO.
coat, ihe spanish brig commenced her fire upon
The B1c,hus lone Of tine tenders) than close in
shore. where he had been ordered TO reeonuci.
t'e ino lardirg was elfceled. AS soon as the Lee
ander could bear down ibeing then to eintS
ward, win very light b eeze an exchange OF
broadsides took place be ween her and the Srig
me latter was Afterwards ined ~ the Guards
Costas schooner, which gave Two bruadsides.
without however, doing an injury TO the Lean<
ger by whose spirited and well difesled fire they
were beat Oft the brig having received several
shot IN her hull. She carried % long 1875 and