seeds of heroical deeds; of liberty, and revoFution. I will not venture to predict what kind of a crop his efforts may produce, as I have scarcely any acquaintance with my fellow adventurers.

12th, 8 o'clock, A. M. At this moment, a cry from a man stationed at the mast head, announces a sail in sight; she is too far distant, however, to enable us to distinguish what kind of vessel; I notice it creates considerable anxiety on board-particularly with the general. We shall probably know something more of this strange sail before long, as she is sailing nearly in a line with us, is somewhat te leeward, but if disposed, may speak us in two or three hours. II o'clock, A. M. the strange vessel turns out to be a large, vessel in pursuit of us.

come up.

Captain Lewis, has shortened sail to let her If she is French or Spanish, she will probably speak to us in harsh language, and we shall be obliged to fight God knows what our fate would be if captured; for I believe we must appear to them a suspicious set, who are on the high seas in a very questionable shape. If she is English, perhaps

all may be well." I must conclude, as we

are going to prepare for action. Our sea com. mander says, "if she is an enemy, we must overcome or perish.

13th. The affair is settled very much to our satisfaction; but not without a thousand alternate hopes and fears. Within four hours after my last, we expected to be now making the best of our way to Bermuda, under the lee of a British frigate. Yesterday, at half-past one o'clock in the afternoon, we were spoke by the ship seen in the morning; she proved to be his Britannick Majesty's ship Cleopatra, of forty guns, commanded by capt John Wight. The first lieutenant of the frigate came on board and examined our ship and crew. We were detained nearly twenty-four hours, and had nineteen men pressed-mostly Irish, with American protections. As a kind of return

for the impressed sailors, we received twelve Americans, who had been taken out of American vessels lately captured by the Cleopatra, to the list of which, the Leander was nigh being added. Captain Lewis went on board with the ship's papers, which showed her to be the Leander, an American ship, bound to St. Domingo. These were on examination declared by captain Wight to be unsatisfactory. A

gentleman then by the name of Armstrong went on board with instructions from the gen-" eral, and joined with Lewis in expostulating with the commander of the frigate, but without effect. At last the general himself was óbliged to appear on board the Cleopatra. He stated certain particulars to captain Wight, and shewed him documents, which justified the English captain in allowing our ship to proceed. This event has confirmed our impres sions, respecting the nature and objects of this expedition. General Miranda, I think, must have affected the release of the Leander, by explaining a part, or the whole of his plan, relative to South America; and by producing credentials from the British government, authorising, or at least protecting him in the undertaking. This idea is strengthened, by Miranda saying that captain Wight had promised to assist in the enterprise. The general remained on board the frigate all night, and returned this morning at eleven o'clock. I am extremely glad we were overtaken by this ship; for the result tends to put us at ease about the consistency of our design with the laws of nations, and proves to the world that we are not a "band of desperate pirates,"

description given to us by some persons before we sailed from New-York, and propagated afterwards, in whispers, through the ship. Besides, the expedition is now placed on a respectable footing by having, as we presume, the acknowledgment and countenance of England. We are all in high spirits and high hopes. The general now speaks more openly about the enterprise; he expresses great anxiety to begin his operations; and complains of having been so long detained in a good wind, notwithstanding it has turned out so much to the advantage of his project, both on account of the promised assistance, and a certificate that he procured of captain Wight, to prevent future search or detention by other British cruisers which we may happen to meet.

C

LETTER III.

Spanish schooner brought to.--Conjectures upon this unusual procedure.- Stratagem to de ceive the master of the schooner.-Miranda appoints his officers.-Their names and dis tribution into corps.—Uniforms, &c.-- Arrival at Jacquemel.--Accident,

February 15th, 1806.

WE are now in the Mona passage, be tween the islands of Porto Rico and St. Do. mingo. A circumstance occurred this morn ing of a somewhat singular nature; and to my view not very agreeable. About 10 o'clock we saw two strange sails, a brig and a schoon. er; in a short time after, the Leander fired a shot at the latter, whether by the order of Miranda or at the instance of Lewis, I know not. The vessel being alarmed, altered her course and endeavoured to escape, upon which we discharged several shot; and she was at last, obliged, for fear of being sunk, to heave to under our lee. The captain was imme. diately ordered on board with his papers; and upon examination the vessel proved to be a Spanish schooner, from St. Martins, loaded with Logwood and bound to St. Bartholomews.