296 



SPANISH AMERICA. 



from Cadiz was devoured with avidity, and 

 produced enthusiastic shouts of gratitude 

 to England. 



Returning to the governor about five 

 o'clock, the first thing I demanded was the 

 delivering to me the French corvette, or at 

 least the permitting me to take possession of 

 her in the roads, in consequence of the cir- 

 cumstances under which she had entered. 

 Both these he positively refused, as well as 

 to take possession of her himself; but, on 

 the contrary, he told me he had given orders 

 for her immediate sailing. I made him ac- 

 quainted with the orders I had given for her 

 seizure if she sailed, to which he assented ; 

 and I at the same time told him, that if she 

 were not in the possession of the Spaniards 

 at my return, I should take her myself. He 

 replied, that he should send orders to the 

 commandant of La Guayra to fire upon me 

 if I did : to which 1 replied, that the conse- 



