SOUTH AMERICA. 



ing to invitation. Commodore Sinclair had at first 

 declined, but afterwards on a pressing invitation being 

 gent by the general, he was induced to come. Mr. 

 Rodney declined coming on shore at all; under all cir- 

 cumstances, not considering it proper for him to do so, 

 until his return from Buenos Ayres. We found a great 

 number of persons assembled, all of them Portuguese 

 officers of the land and naval service, excepting a gen- 

 tleman in citizens dress, who we were informed was an 

 agent from Buenos Ayres on some special business; 

 he was a keen intelligent looking man, and his plain 

 suit of black formed a singular contrast with the 

 splendid uniforms, and crosses, and medals of the Por- 

 tuguese officers. The entertainment was one of the 

 most sumptuous I ever was at. It was indeed a ban- 

 quet, composed of every thing in the way of fish, flesh, 

 and fowl, that can well be imagined, and was suc- 

 ceeded by all the variety of fruits which this market, 

 and that of Buenos Ayres could afford. Our ears 

 were at the same time regaled with the sweetest music 

 from the general's band. Several of these officers, 

 particularly the general's aids, were remarkably hand- 

 some men; I happened to be seated near one of them, 

 and had a good deal of conversation with him. He 

 expressed a high admiration of our political institu- 

 tions, and national character, part of which I of course 

 considered only complimentary. He spoke of the pa- 

 triots at Buenos Ayres as a factious set, incapable of es- 

 tablishing any sober government; their leaders all cor- 

 rupt, and desirous only of acquiring some little self 

 importance; the people ignorant, and at the mercy of 

 ambitious demagogues: he contrasted their character 

 with the virtues and intelligence of the people of th^ 



