NOTES DU CHAPITRE XII.

I.

(State papers, t. V, 1796, App., p. 10.)

Head-Quarters, St-Lucia, may 2, 1796.

Sir, in my letter of the 9th of april, I expressed a desire to detach a body of troops to take possession of Demerary, provided that Admiral Sir John Laforey would afford me the necessary naval force.

The admiral, upon my application to him for that purpose, immediately ordered the Malabar, La Picque, and Babet, on board of which, and the Grenada transport with some small vessels, Major-General Whyte, with the 39th, 934, and 99th regiments, and a detachment of the royal artillery, embarked and sailed on the 15th Ult.

On the 21sd, thi ssquadron arrived upon the coast of Demerary, and on the 22d the governor and council were summoned to surrender the colony to his Britannic Majesty, upon the condition which I have the honour to inclose. The next day the terms were agreed to, the capitulation signed, and the British troops took possession of the fort and colony. Lieutenant-Colonel Hislop, of the 39th regiment, is left commandant of Demerary and Issequibo.

Major-General Whyte was to proceed to take possession of the neighbouring colony of Berbice; and, after making the

necessary arrangements, he is ordered to repair to his station at St Domingo.

From the accounts received, there is produce to an immense value at Demerary, which will be immediately shipped for Great Britain.

Sir, in addition to my letter of the 2a of may, i have the honour to acquaint you that Major-General Whyte has returned from Berbice, which colony accepted of the terms offered to Demerary, and is now in our quiet possession. I am, etc.

R. ABERCROMBY.

III.

(State papers, t. VI, 1797, App., p. 42.)

Prince of Wales, Port-Royal bay Martinique,
January 18, 1797.

Sir, be pleased to acquaint their Lordships that Captain Fellowes, in his Majesty's ship Alarm, being on a cruize off Grenada, fell in, on the 23d of november last, with a Spanish

brigantine corvette called the Galgo, carrying 18 six-pounders, 6 swivels, and 124 men, commanded by Don Barber, from Porto-Rico, bound to Trinidada, having on board 80,355 dollars and some provisions for the government of that island, which he captured, and carried into Grenada.

I am,

etc.

Henry HARVEY.

Rear-Admiral of the Red and Commander in chief of his Britannic Majesty's ships and

Vessels of War.

Evan NEPEAN Esq.

Secretary of the Admiralty.

NOTES DU CHAPITRE XIII.

I.

(Free Mulatto, Address to Earl Bathurst, p 15.)

The happy position of Trinidad, lying as it does at the mouth of the Orinoco, offering a convenient introduction on the main land to British merchandize, probably influenced the ministry in the attack of the island. It was one of the chief objects to which the expedition was directed; and was captured, by the forces under Sir Ralph Abercromby, on the 18th of february 1797. The weakness of the Governor and the feeble manner in which he was supported, compelled him to capitulate without resistance.

II.

(Bryan Edwards, History of the war in the W. I., t. IV, ch. vii, p. 82.)

The island of Trinidad, in the gulph of Paria, at a short distance from the continent was the first object which the ministers marked out for attack. Independently of the magnitude and fertility of the island, which were sufficient motives

for endeavouring to bring it under our dominion, it is probable that its proximity to the main land, which affords abundant facility to a valuable commercial intercourse, was a strong inducement for undertaking this enterprise.

III.

(Draper, Address to the British public, Don C. de Robles, p. 36.)

You may judge of the numbers capable of bearing arms, by the application of the French Consul to the governor on the appearance of the British fleet, when he offered him the assistance of 3,000 republicans, which (not being inclined to make any resistance) he thought proper to decline.

IV.

(State papers, t. VI, 1797, App. p. 39.)

List of Spanish Ships of war burnt and captured in Shaguaramus Bay, in tho Gulf of Paria, feb. 17 1797, by the squadron under the Command of Rear-admiral Harvey.

Burnt, San Vincente, 74 guns, Rear-amiral Don Sebastian.

Ruiz de Apodaca, Captain John Geronimo Mendoza,
Gallardo, 74 guns, Don Gabriel Sorondo.

Arrogante, 74 guns, Don Raphael Benasa.

Santa Cecilia, 36 guns, Don Manuel Utresabel.

Captured, San Damaso, 74 guns, Don Joseph Jordan,