404 SPANISH AMERICA, 



Pezuela was compelled to abandon Salta 

 and Tarija, and a part of Alta Peru. 



Another measure was resorted to, which 

 proved of essential service to the patriot 

 cause : Don Juan Larrea, secretary of fi- 

 nance in Buenos-Ayres, succeeded in form- 

 ing a naval force, consisting of two brigs, 

 three corvettes, and a schooner, which were 

 placed under the command of an English 

 merchant, residing at Buenos-Ayres, named 

 Brown. The latter having sailed with this 

 flotilla, had an engagement with the royalist 

 naval force, off Monte Video, on the 25th of 

 May 1814, in which he captured two cor- 

 vettes, and set fire to two others. The re- 

 mainder of the royalist vessels escaped, and 

 Brown then commenced the naval blockade 

 of Monte Video. In consequence of some 

 differences, which had formerly arisen be- 

 tween Artigas and Rondeau, the former with- 

 drew his troops from the siege ; and the 



