The Enquirer

In a well written essay, on the subject of Peace or War, published in the London Morning Post of the 15th of August, we find the following observations on the importance of the trade to South America, and on the expedition of Miranda.

Mer. Adv.

Bonaparte now holding, directly or indirectly, most of the keys of the European markets, British Ministers, endowed with due foresight and judgment, should have seen the imperious necessity of opening new Markets to our staple manufactures in the three remaining quarters of the globe. South America, from the Mexican Gulf to Cape Horn, is the rich Continent they should have emancipated and rendered independent: at least the Spanish principal part, together with the contiguous French and Dutch Colonies. If this be not done before the signature of any treaty with France, the glorious opportunity will, perhaps, be for ever lost to us. I have had good opportunity to know that Mr. Pitt, a few years before his death, saw and acknowledged the necessity of striking this blow, and was solicitous to obtain authentic information respecting the best mode of executing it.

A free intercourse with South America would furnish a copious stream of fresh supplies for prosecuting the war: it would subsist the navy and army sent to assist its emancipation; it would open a new and lucrative market both for exports and imports to our staple manufactures, to cottons, muslins, shalloons, linens, hardware, and to many of our East India productions, which they now receive through Manilla, across the Pacific Ocean: it would repay us with many millions annually of the precious metals, gold and silver, with indigo, cochineal, Peruvian bark, tallow, hides, hemp, and a multitude of other articles. From the Southern part of it, on the Atlantic, our West India Islands might have an inexhaustible supply of provisions; it would greatly augment our naval force; it would cut off a principal stream of the resources of Bonaparte, and his vassal Spain, in carrying on the war against us.

At the threatened rupture with Spain on the Nootka Sound business, and the commencement of the French Revolution, I know that General Miranda, a native of the kingdom of Grenada, in South America, gave Mr. Pitt several Memorials on this subject, besides much parol information, through his Secretary, Mr. S. H.

Ten thousand land forces were then in readiness to undertake this expedition according to Miranda's plan, when the breach was adjusted. Miranda then despairing of accomplishing thro' England his favourite schemes, set off for France, and presented it to the Rulers of the French Convention, by whom it was favourably listened to, and in the mean time he was nominated second in command to their principal army under Gen. Dumourier. Having narrowly escaped the loss of his head under Robespierre, he returned to London, and for several years persevered in importuning our Ministers to lop off this bank of Bonaparte and Spain. He is now, alas! departed on a forlorn hope, to make the attempt without adequate means.

The chart shows that the broad base of South America, bounded on the N. by the Mexican gulph, and on the S. by the great river Amazon, is watered by two other immense rivers, the Oronoko, and the Magdalena. The Island of Trinidad lies near the mouth of the former, and to the S. of this lies the province of Guyana, including Surinam and Cayenne. The expedition was to have been conducted to the river Magdalena, and to have descended into the fertile province of Santa Fe, and the heart of Grenada. This province, though not far remote from the equator, is very healthy, and contains every requisite for the supply of an auxiliary force. By this position, assisted by the natives, the rich gold mines of Grenada, and the treasures of Peru carried usually across the Isthmus of Panama, would be intercepted.

Miranda, however, was not sufficiently informed of the remote power we possessed to forward the emancipation of South America, by means of land forces transported from India across the Pacific Ocean. I speak from correct information on this subject, when I say that two, or, at the utmost, three months would have been sufficient for that purpose. The troops could be carried either a N. or a S. route, and refreshed in their passage at the Sandwich Islands, or at Botany Bay. In an octavo Military Treatise, which has gone through six editions, of which I am the author, but have thought proper to conceal my name, I threw out a hint of a joint expedition from Europe & from India, against the south part of S. America, that is against Buenos Ayres, and the opposite port of Baldavia, in Chili.—The breadth of South America is there contracted to about 500 miles; and there are two good post roads across it from sea to sea. On both sides the climate is healthy, and abounds with provisions. The Jesuits of Paraguay, and their native pupils, are spread over that vast plain to the right of the river Plata; and the inhabitants of Chili are incessant in hostility against the Spanish yoke.

Bonaparte has many political and commercial reasons for endeavoring to inveigle our ministers into a premature treaty at the present moment; the restitution of twenty thousand sailors, the perilous situation of his brother Jerome, and his squadron in the West-Indies; the consolidation of his European conquests, and the freedom from interruption in his future projects of rapine. He cannot fail to know, from his numerous spies, that part of the expedition now ready to sail from England, though not in season, is destined to support Miranda. A truce only for a month would enable him and Spain to detach such a reinforcement to South America as would exclude the British nation from any share of that lucrative commerce, and even from reaping the profits of petty smugglers. By a strong force in Surinam and Cayenne he could bridle both Spain and Portugal, and when it was convenient to throw off the mask, could dispossess both of them of Grenada and the Brazils. The consequences of such a manoeuvre to our East and West-India trade are obvious.

This essay was written before the arrival of Jerome Bonaparte in France could be known.