LETTEJi TO SIR A. COCHRANE. 293 



preceding night from Cayenne, with des- 

 patches from Bayonne, and had anchored 

 about two miles from the town, to which 

 she was now removing. I was never nearer 

 than five miles to her, and could not have 

 thrown a shot over her before she was close 

 under the Spanish batteries, and therefore I 

 did not attempt to chase. 



Just before I set out for Caraccas, the 

 captain of the French brig returned, exceed- 

 ingly displeased, I was told, — having been 

 publicly insulted in that city. 



About three o'clock I arrived at Carac- 

 cas, and presented your despatches to the 

 captain-general, who received me very cold- 

 ly, or rather uncivilly ; observing, that that 

 hour was very inconvenient to him and to 

 me ; and that as I had not dined, I had bet- 

 ter go and get some dinner, and return to 

 him in a couple of hours. 



