The New York herald., 1851-09-08
TAs Expsaisisn Of Lopez, Compared with
lhese Of Miranda a.d Nina.


tory Of the Spanish colonies in America, to those
who are familiar with the subject. The per6dy,
insinserity, and cowsrdce of the inh abitants of
| Spanish America have been repeatedly exemplihed
in their conduct towards those brave and generous
spirits, who, though born in other cliues, were
willing to 6ght in the of liberty, wherever her
standard may have been raised and wherever their
assistance in the cause has been required. The
expedition of Lopez and his unfortunate CON-
pspions we have no doubt, will take its place in
history whatever may have been the notions Of the
actors or the non-com batant instgators as one Of
the most gallant and ,kable military attempts
on record. Whether the particulars Of this inter-
prise, in all its details. viii be fully known, is
doubtful from the death of most of the actors and
the misrepresentation Of their enemes-but, If all
! the facts could be known, we have no doubt they
would present an array Of most extraordinary feats
of bravery, under the most adverse circumstances,
such as, seldom, if ever. has be en- witnessed.
This expedition Of Lopez forcibly reminds us of
two similar unfortunate attempts, made during the
present century, by citizens Of the United States,
under the guidance of Spanish American Generals,
to berate the people of the colonies of Spain, in
America, from the yoke Of the m ,ther country
We allude to the expeditions Of Miranda and Nina
the former against Venezuela; the latter against
Mexico. These attempts were both prem ature; but
the people Of those and other Spanish colonies now
indepen lent repnblics by their subsequent struy-
| giles, showed that, unlike the Cubans, they were
not only worthy, but able, achieve their iniepen-
| dence of old Spain. Hence their final success,
without the aid of invaders from other countries.
A short sketch of the expeditions of Miranda and
Nina may prove interesting even to revive the re-
| collection of the circumstances in the minis of
those Of our readers who may be familiar with this
portion of Spanish American history.
The affair of Miranda took place in 1906, during
the administration of Mr.. Jefferson, who, although
PEELED 20 enforce the neutral laws Of he United
States, believed not 10 have been unfriendly
to Miranda's enterprise. Don Francisco Miranda
was a native of Caracas. Venezuela, where he
was born about the year 1850 He was of family
of distinction, his grandfather having been cover
nor Of the province. In consequence of his early
cor pticn of the project, ana his subsequent exor
tious he is considered as the founder of the inde-
| pendepce Of Spanish America. Projec;s of inde-
Ieudence had, however, been entertained in Vens
tuele ard New Granada, without concers, as early
as l594 in the latter, and 1917 in the former
country. In the latter year cons piracy for in
dependence, headed by Don Manuel Gail, was
detected and crushed in Venezuela. Ia 1874, a
rgtriotic society formed in Bogota New
Granada, headed by Narino, Zea, aud Others,
who afterwards became distinguished in the
luton that country.
Niriuda, at the age Of twenty, travelled
foot through various parts of the continent of
America. He afterwards became n colonel 10 the
Spanish army. la 1888 he visited the United
States, and afterwards travel ed on foot thro lgh
England, France, Italy, ard Spain, heartily de-
testing the latter country. Even at tha. time he
ventured to speak OF the em patton Of ais VA
country, TO the British PRIME Minister. Pitt,
ard TO the Empress Catharine the Ssc,ni,
| of Russia, who treated him with great regard,
| espe cially the Empress, who invited him to enter
ITO her service; bat the high expectations Of the
French revolution. being far more congenlal to his
own feelings, drew Miranda from Petersburg 20
Paris. in 1880 lie was warmly welcomed there by
] Petion, TO whom he recommt nded by English
whig leaders; and was appointed Major General
! IN the service of the French republic Bl; unfor-
| runsisy, Miranda did not wer the expectations
| of his French friends and efeat of the army
under Dumourier attributed by that General to
have been caused by the conduct of Miranda
who, however. triun phan.ly related the charge.
Being condemned by the French Directory, Mi
rspda escaped to England Hereturned to France
ID lcto, HhcEcc ne was oanlsLed "A seconu time, oy
B,nararte Finally, be devoted himself exclu.
sively to the cause Of the independence of his
native country which he had hoped in vain to have
achieved tn osgh the assistance Of France. Ia
London. he was continually encouraged by the
! English ministry, who saw that the liber alton Of
South Ameri;a must accrue to British commerce.
and who we're prevented from fitting out al expe
diiion TO Venezuela only by the necessity of con-
e.. -. 81. III
powers opposed to France The Temporary occu.
patton of Bu,nos Ayres and Montevideo by t,e
English, in Is0i, showed the good will Of Great
Britain to the cause Of South American inde-
| Iendence.
| Miranda being at length weary Of disappoint
uerts in England. came to the United States in
lsC6, ano failing to the operation Of our
government in bis enterprise, although not
then the best terms with Spain, he undertook to
e cut a small eSp' dtion, with merely private re.
sources. lie procured ship, called the Lcander
TO he AIMED and fttted out at NeS York, and to
lfoceoo to 81 Domingo, the ship having on board
IuIl ber Of volunteer, offered by Mfan5 At
s. Domingo, Miriam Ia expected TO be joined by the
sbip Emperor with other men; but, fer the sail
| iTg OF he Leauder. The government Of tie United
Sta.,s, which had thus Ear wnked the expedition
ordered the prosecution Of two Of the friends Of M
randa. The President tJeffsrson) also issued pro-
csmsiion against hostile attempts upon
The Spanish dominions. The accused parties
were acquitted. but their prosecution pro
vented the detachment about to be embarked
the ship Emperor, from jo ming in the enter
prise Miranda was, therefore, compelled to proceed
nth the Leader, ard two schoOrers which
be had chartered at 81. Domingo. TbSte 'Oaoon
crs vce captu ed by Spanish cruisers, (gaTta
ccsias) The consequences was, that although Nj
rsnda was fu finished Sith sloops and gun
boats by the English Admiral In tae Wee; Indies,
and Effected a landing with bis small army Of Eve
hurd'ed volunteers at place called Vela do Coro,
IN TIE cnn-t nf Nennzunla- an An,nst. lsalG a..