people are unanimous in support of Artigas, it is to be understood, the people called gauchos, for on turning to the documents which accompany the report of Mr. Rodney, it will be perceived that the respectable part of the community, are far from being unanimous in his support. And the expeditions sent by Buenos Ayres against Artigas, would indeed have deserved the imputation of folly, if they had not been founded upon a belief that their presence was all that was necessary to enable them to throw off the yoke of the tyrant and usurper. The simple fact is, that if his name had not been used to give sanction to privateers, we should have heard little in his praise.

F

As we approached the town, we met a number of country people, chiefly women and boys, with a few. men, who appeared as if returning from market. I was a little surprised at this, as 1 understood that all intercourse had been prohibited by Artigas, but general Carrera informed us, that this does not extend beyond the prohibition of the supply of horned cattle, and that some of those we saw, were in all likelihood of the besieging force, but that such was the situation of things, it was winked at. The hatred to the Portuguese pervades every class of natives, the commoner of the plains, as well as the tenant of the humble cottage, and appears to increase in the rising generation. The present inhabitants can never be good Portuguese subjects.

About noon we had a visit from general Lecor and suit. His officers generally spoke good English, propably from having served with them against the. French. This was intended as a visit of ceremony. At three o'clock, we proceeded to his quarters accord

ing to invitation. Commodore Sinclair had at first declined, but afterwards on a pressing invitation being sent by the general, he was 'induced to come. Mr. Rodney declined coming on shore at all; under all circumstances, 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 gentleman 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 Portuguese officers. The entertainment was one of the most sumptuous I ever was at. It was indeed a banquet, composed of every thing in the way of fish, flesh, and fowl, that can well be imagined, and was succeeded 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 handsome 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 institutions, and national character, part of which I of course considered only complimentary. He spoke of the patriots at Buenos Ayres as a factious set, incapable of establishing any sober government; their leaders alt corrupt, 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 the

United States. He spoke of Artigas as an atrocious savage, and stated a recent instance of his treatment to our prisoners; that his people were like all other savages, entirely insensible to the feelings of humanity. He spoke in a manner not very complimentary to the English, and held out the idea, that some useless attempts had lately been made on their part, to induce the king of Portugal to return to Lisbon. The Buenos Ayrean agent, in the course of the entertainment sought a conversation with me, and pronounced a hasty but fervid eulogy on his government, and then on the character of his countrymen. His eagerness to communicate his thoughts, seemed to arise from apprehensions that unfavorable impressions would be made on our minds. He spoke of general Carrera, at the same time requesting to be forgiven for the liberty he was taking, and observed that he had perceived him very intimate with us, and had understood he was highly esteemed in the United States, but he hoped we would not permit our minds to be swayed by his statements, as he entertained a deadly enmity to the government of Buenos Ayres, and even to the people of that place; that he was actuated by disappointed ambition, and for the sake of revenge would go any length. "If he be the real patriot," said he, "why does he live under the protection of this government? Can he not go to the United States or any where else? No, he is waiting his opportunity until the liberties of Chili shall be won from Spain, through the aid of our arms, in order to kindle up the same civil broils and factions by which that country has been once lost already. In the mean time, he loses no opportunity of harrassing us as far as lies in his power. We attribute

to him much of the abuse that has appeared against our leading men in your newspapers, and which has occasioned deep regret to the people of Buenos Ayres. The idea has been held out, that the Chilians were conquered by their brethren of Buenos Ayres, an idea the most absurd that can be imagined; but it is necessary that he should hold out this pretence, for if his country accepts our assistance, what right has he to object? No, said he, his anger has no other foundation than disappointed ambition. But, said he, you will judge for yourselves. Does his country require his services? Can any one deny the fact, that she has done better without him than with him? Let him at least remain quiet as a private citizen, until the liberties of his country are settled on a solid basis, and not be continually engaged as he is, in trying to bring us into disrepute with our friends abroad." My business was that of a listener-I could only answer, that I thought his observations worthy of being at tended to.

During our short stay at Monte Video, I became acquainted with several English gentlemen, from whom I collected a good deal of information respecting the state of the country. With a young Irish merchant, who possessed all that generosity of heart, and genuine hospitality which characterises his countrymen, I was highly pleased. I could not divest my mind of the idea, that he was a countryman of my own, although he informed me that he never had been in the United States. I was not aware of our enter. taining this feeling towards the Irish when abroad, but it no doubt arises from the circumstance of our considering them as a distinct people from the English,

and oppressed by them, as well as from a consciousness that the hearts of Irishmen, have generally been with us in our times of trial. Their accounts were in most respects, very much at variance with some that I had heard from general Carrera, and his friend White; and knowing that so much depends upon the situations, motives, and interests of men, I thought well to give them due weight and consideration, as they were not so obviously disqualified from giving unbiassed testimony, as the two persons just mentioned. It would certainly be improper on these occasions, to adopt those rules of evidence established by the experience of judicial tribunals, but they are not entirely to be despised. Having from earliest infancy, in a life replete with incident, been often cast among strangers, the habit of circumspection has To distrust or doubt is one thing, grown upon me. to decide after mature and cautious examination is another.

The day after our dinner with Lecor, Mr. Bland came on board, in company with general Carrera and White; and in the evening, as a considerable sea had been raised by the north-east wind, which blows almost continually during the summer season, the two strangers were invited to partake of the hospitality of the ship, and to remain all night. As the fortunes and character of general Carrera had excited considerable interest in the United States, I was induced to observe him closely, in order that I might form an opinion for myself. I had been highly prepossessed in his favor, on account of the generosity of himself and family towards commodore Porter, after his desperate battle on the coast of Chili. I had seen him in the United