ISLANDS i3N THE COAST 



PUERTO DE LA GUAIRA, 



IS above 60 leagues from Cumanay and 15 from Cape Blanco to the wefl, 

 which cape is the eaftermoft boundary of the Caracas this is the chief 

 place on this coaft, and is the fea-port to Santiago deLeon de Caracas -y and tho' 

 it has but a bad harbour, or rather an open road, yet it is much frequented by 

 Spajiijh fhipping, for the Dutch and EngliJJo anchor in the fandy bays, that lie 

 along the fhore, in the mouths of feveral valleys, where there is very good 

 riding. The town, which is fituated at the foot of a very high hill, is open 

 on the land fide, but has^two forts, and feveral batteries toward the fea. 

 It was taken in the laft century by Capt. Wright and his privateers. 



This place was attacked in 1743, and the garrifon commanded by Don 

 Matheo Glial, defended it againft a fquadron of Britijh fhips of war, com- 

 manded by admiral Knowles, who bombarded the town, made fome breaches 

 Vi the fortifications, demolifhed their churches, and blew up a magazine; 

 tmi there being only one landing-place, they did not attempt to difembark; 

 and moft of the ftiips being fo much damaged as to be entirely difabled from 

 continuing the attack, were ordered diredlly to Cura/Jo to refit ; when this came 

 to be known by the garrifon, many of the inhabitants who had fled to the 

 woods on the firfl appearance of the Britijh fleet, returned to their houfes 

 with great joy. 



PUERTOCAVELLO, 



IS a fortified town on the coafi: of Caracas y diflant 20 leagues from La 

 Guaira. We have not been able to get any account of the trade or 

 ,. ' commerce of this place, and it was but little known before 1743, when 

 Commodore Knowlesy after the repulfe at La Guairay having refitted the 

 fquadron under his command, came, on the 1 5 th of April, before this place, 

 which was extremely well fupplied with a garrifon of 1500 feamen and fol- 

 diers, 4000 IndianSy Blacks, &c. which the governor of the Caracas 

 had fent for the defence of the town. The Admiral having landed 1 200 men 



under 



