Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-03-18

means 10 obtain a colone's commission,
and ~as enploysd by the goyernsr oil
Gau,imala' in seyetal confidential siiuati.
ons. lie Is thought very early in lte 10
have entertained the generous resolution
OF enancipaling his countrymen from
thrald0m; and to- this is aurlbu ed has
prec.pitate retreat from New-Spain.
Since that tins, he has been almost IL
terally wANDERER. In the course. of
his travels, he has visited every part OF
Europe, and resided more Than once in
Engand. Being possessed ofiasie, learn.
Ing and classical style, he was enabled
to collect and narrate a variety of aEec-
do,es, and observations relative to the
manners, policy, laws, learning, and "a
bove all, the military Establishments, of
every nation.
No sooner had the French revolution
taken place and foreign war became in
evilable, than he repair ed to- Paris from
81. Petersburg, where he was in great
favor with the empress,' who eudeavored,
but IN VAIN, To attach him to her person
and service. BY means of Potion, he
obtained the rank of major general, and
very ably and ehectually seconded the cr.
forts of Dumourier at Belgium. Beng
an excellent engineer, he displayed great
| military science IN The art oil attack in
short, lie soon became respected in the
army, and popular in the capital.
When the hsro 81 Jen,ah1le penetrated
into Holland, he WAS appointed to the
| command Ut the troups destined 10 at
tack Maestricht the attack proved abor.
tive but, as this evidently procee ded
from the negligence of The general at the
head OF The c0verfng army, his !aurels
we're not blighted by The event.
| The conduct of Dumourier, as soon
f, as he began to experience reverse of
fortune, became suspicious and his FREE
/ qucnt conferences with tae Austrian &c.
neral which ended at length in his en-
tire detection, rendered all the patriots in
the army jealous of him. Miranda in
| stanliy communicated his fears 10 his
TREND Potion, at that time member of
The Committee of Public Safety, and or
ccrs were soon alter issued 10 arrest the
commander in chief. I his circumstance
saved the life of Miranda for Dumou
ricr had attributed the loss of the battle
OF Ncrw,nden To him, and still blames
him IN his history. 10 this the Other
has made reply equally able and ami
mated
No sooner had the party of the Giroa.
dc been overwhelmed by the energies of
the Mountoin, than Miranda was impri.
soncd. He was liberated a, the general
jail ashvery on the execution of Robes
pierre took an active part against the
sections of Paris, during the last insur-
rec"on, and was once more put under
arrest by order OF the directory.
Since that period nc ha. been enioined
to quit France, under pretence of being
a foreigner. This ungrateful return for
his services was perhaps suggested a,
the instance of the court Of Madrid,
which has long viewed him with lea
ious eye. If 81, it was bafficd in the first
instance flr Miranda refused to obey
the order; and, claiming the rights of
French CITIZENSHIP appealed 10 the egis-
iature. in CONSEQUENCE OF which, the cx-
ecutive was obliged 10 desist for time.
Its power, rather than lis justice, howe
yer, prevailed at length, and he was d.i-
ven mlo exile.
Gen. Miranda at present resides in
this country bat, like the other emf
grants, (Pichcgrue, De Puisaye, and a
few more excep.ed,) he receives no coun-
tenance from government, being tolerai
ed rather than cherished. fah.
miranda was introduced at Cherson to the
late empress, by prince Potemkin. who present
cd him 1T the same time 10 the emperor Joseph,
and he was mosi graciously received by both
The court of Spain Afterwards claimed him
as subjea, but he was protected by Ca,harine,
who refused 10 deliver him up
Her Imperial majesty, indeed, always treated
him with great respect, and offered TO confer
many favors on him however. at the commence.
ment of the French revolution he left ST Pc
tsrsburgh, with decided intention TO serve in
the French armies. circumstance that gave
great offence to tue naughty sovereign whom he
had abandoned.
lie was fortunate enough to be acquitted
alter trial of five days. before the rcvo!utona.
ry tribunal of Paris.
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