154 NAVAL VICTORY. 



" Ten of the largest vessels, and twelve 

 smaller ones, opposed to the above-named 

 enemy's force, well manned and armed, was 

 a difference sufficiently notable ; but the au- 

 dacious valour and intrepidity of all the in- 

 dividuals whom I have the honour to com- 

 mand, conquered these difficulties. Their 

 breasts were inflamed on reading to them 

 < the proclamation which (marked No. 2.) ac- 

 companies this ; they broke out into a thou* 

 sand ' Vivas for Colombia,' and * May the 

 tyrants fall!' From this moment I never 

 doubted that the victory would be ours, 

 for every one strove to manifest his desire 

 to fight ; and so it was, that the moment 

 we commenced the attack, we almost in- 

 stantly concluded it, for they were not men, 

 but v/ild beasts, who threw themselves on 

 the enemy: for which intrepidity I recom- 

 mend all generally to the consideration of 

 the government, but particularly those men- 

 tioned in document No. 3, in order that in 



