424 ANNUAL KEGISTER, 1804. 



tcr retiring for a considerable time, 

 brought in a yerdict of accidental 

 death. 



23d. Advices from Admiral Corn- 

 Avallis, give the important intelli- 

 gence of a small squadron of British 

 frigates, under the command of capt. 

 G. Moore, of the Indefatigable, 

 having, after a short action, cap- 

 tured 3 Spanish treasure ships, and 

 blown up one, off cape St. Mary's. 

 Independently of 3,200,000 dollars, 

 th: captured vessels abound in the 

 most precious merchandize. This is 

 the first act of hostilities with Spain, 

 and n;ust doubtless be followed by 

 a war with that power. A most 

 melancholy circumstance took place 

 in consequence of the explosion of 

 "the Mercedes, one of the Spanish 

 squadron. In it was embarked a 

 native of Spain, who M'as returning 

 from America with his whole fami- 

 ly, consisting of his lady, 4 daugh- 

 ters, and 5 sons. The daughters 

 ivcrc beautiful and amiable women, 

 the sons grown up to manhood. 

 With such a family, and a large 

 fortune, the gradual savings of 25 

 years industry, did this unhappy 

 man embark for his native country. 

 A short time before the action be- 

 gan, he, with one of his sons, Ment 

 on board the largest of the ships, 

 and in a few minutes became the 

 spectator of his Avifc, his daughters, 

 4 of his sons, and all his treasure, 

 surrounded with flames, and sink- 

 ing in the abyss of the ocean. This 

 victim of almost unheard-of calami- 

 ty, arrived at Plymouth, with the 

 only remains of so many blessings, 

 in capt. Moore's cabin, who was 

 unceasing in his endeavours to ad- 

 minister all in his power towards 

 the alleviation of his sufferings.* 



25th. Hyde Park exhibited a tri- 

 umphant display of the military re- 

 sources of this great capital of the 

 empire, and confirmed the hopes 

 which were formed last year, of the 

 zeal, activity, and discipline of its 

 brave and loyal voluntary defenders. 



Soon after 9 the following regi- 

 ments made their appearance in the 

 park, and took their ground opposite 

 Grosvenor gate : — the hon. artillery 

 company, licut. col. Lc Mesurier, 

 with the company of yagers, com- 

 manded by capt. Bcssell, were on 

 the right, two iield pieces were at- 

 tached to the regiment ; the 4th 

 loyal London, lieut. col. Price ; the 

 7th ditto, major Pratt ; the 8th dit- 

 to, col. Canning ; the 5th ditto, col. 

 Smith ; the 2d ditto, ditto. 



The regiments marched into line 

 by companies, and having taken 

 open order, awaited the arrival of 

 the reviewing general. The earl of 

 Harrington attended about half past 

 10, and was received with the usual 

 honours ; the troops presented arms, 

 and the officers saluted, while the 

 different bands played, and the drums 

 beat. Gen. the earl of Harrington 

 then passed in front and rear of the 

 brigade, and afterwards placed him- 

 self opposite the centre. The light 

 companies and yagers were sent out 

 and skirmished, while the line ad- 

 vanced and fired several vollies. Af- 

 ter this the light troops were called 

 in by the bugles, and the whole com- 

 menced firing by companies, from 

 the centre to the flanks. Each re- 

 gimcnt formed close column in rear 

 of the grenadiers, and marched in 

 the same order to the centre batta- 

 lion, and then performed the prin- 

 cipal of the 19 manoeuvres, parti- 

 cularly the change of position and 



pcjr cant, Mooie's account of the action vide the Appendix to the Chronicle, 



from- 



