approve. But when there are no laws to be followed, it is well understood, that those who have the power, make laws for themselves. It being suspected that the Charleston packet, (one of the vessels just mentioned) had taken. away two of our sailors, the second mate with a party of armed men was dispatched for them, and upon search found that no man belonging to us was in the suspected vessel. On setting out to return, the mate ordered the muskets and pistols of his crew to be discharged to prevent injury in rowing back. The flashes were seen by us, the packet being about two miles distant, and it was supposed her captain had refused to submit to search and that the officer had used force to execute his orders. Upon this another boat with an armed crew went out under the command of the chief mate, and meeting the first boat on its way back, they went along side of a Danish schooner proposing to search her for our absent men. The master protested against it as a usurpation in such language as such conduct would naturally provoke, but without effect. He was not only obliged right or wrong to open his hatches, but received much personal insult and abuse

from our mates, besides getting the flat of one of their sabres severely laid over his back.

They forced one sailor out of his bed and brought him to the Leander; and endeavoured to justify their proceedings by saying that the captain of the vessel to which he formerly belonged had given them permission to secure him whenever found! Had Lewis been here, I think this would not have taken place.

LETTER VI.

Preparations for departure.-Declaration made and sworn to by the officers.--Compensation of the officers.

March 25th, 1806.

THE last three days have been particularly employed in preparations for sea; and I presume from the arrangements lately made, we shall not remain here much longer. We have accepted our commissions as officers in the Columbian Army, and made the following engagements and oath of fidelity to the cause.

"As Law is the basis of discipline and regularity in an army. We the subscribers, do

agree to accept from general Don Francisco

de Miranda, the different commissions and ranks (as specified therein) in the Army of Columbia, now raising, or to be raised by him, for the service of the free people of South America, independent of Spain. And we do also hereby solemnly promise to be governed in all things agreeable to the articles of war of the United States of North America; with such alterations in form only (as have been read and exhibited to us) so as to adapt them to the difference of government under which we now are, or may be; and until regularly discharged from the said army by him, or his successors, legally appointed by the supreme authority of that country after the service of at least two compaigns; and we acknowledge to have taken the oath hereunto annexed, as prescribed by the third section of the articles of War.-viz ;”

"I swear to be true and faithful to the free people of South America, independent of Spain, and to serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the supreme government of that country legally appointed; and the orders of the general and officers set over me by them. On board the Leander, Jacquemel harbour, 24th day of March 1806.?'

Major Sands feeling some scruples against subscribing to this oath, said that he wished to be "perfectly satisfied" that by his engagement in this expedition, it should not be understood that he did in any measure abjure his own country. Miranda observed that in order to put our minds at rest on this subject, the Major or any other gentleman who chose might annex to his signature of the covenant. and oath," that they did not intend by taking it to cancel their allegiance to the United States." This declaration of Miranda was requisite to the satisfaction of the officers generally, though one of the number chose to remark, "if your excellency permits every person to make his trifling objections, it will require a long time before this well understood business can be finished, and what can be done on a sheet of paper will require volumes.' It was not very obvious what could prompt this derision of the scruples of his associates, unless that being a lawyer, he thought the judge advocate generalcy of the free people of Columbia would be most likely to fall upon the greatest flatterer of the commander in chief.

This question being settled on deck, the of ficers were summoned into the cabin, where

n

col. Armstrong read and explained the articles of war of the United States; and the alterations in form not in substance or spirit, which were to be made in them. "Notice, gentlemen," said the colonel, “"the object of this change is to suit the wording of the articles to the local names and situations of the country where they are to take effect; thus for the army of the United States, will be sub. stituted the army of South America; and for the President, or Congress of the United States, will be used the Supreme Authority of the free people of South America, or something of this kind." The business being thus well understood, every officer, according to rank, took the oath and subscribed his name to the obligation. You may observe there are no conditions as to compensation made with us by Miranda, except that we shall have the benefit of the articles of war of the United States. When we engaged at New York with his agents we were promised pay on the most liberal scale. The pay of a colonel was to be ten dollars per day, a major eight, a captain six, a lieutenant four, &c. In the general order assigning us our commissions, you must have noticed, we