Page:American Historical Review vol. 6.djvu/535

iMiraiida and the Ih-itisJi . Idiitiralty 525 XIII. MiRAN'UA TO Vick-Ad.mikal James R. Dacres. ' (Copy No. 2). Sir, CoRO, 6'!' Aug. 1806. We arrived at the Port of La Vela de Coro on the 1' inst. 'Ilie landing that was to take place that night was by the mistake of the [jilots deferred 'till the next day, and by the stress of weather unavoidably re- tarded until the 3. at daylight. These circumstances gave time to the agents of the Spanish Govern- ments to collect all the forces they could command in the circumjacent country for the purpose of opposing us. We effected it however, in spight of all their opposition, with the force of 100 men against 400, we stormed the fort of SI Peter and carried a re- doubt just above it with a battery also on the shore in less than an hour's time. The enemy left us in absolute possession of the town, port, 200 pieces of artillery, ammunition etc. The inhabitants soon came to us and having been informed of our friendly and patriotic intentions, filled the town with satisfaction, and many of the Indians that served with the enemy joined us with alacrity, in a few hours afterwards. With this force two hundred additional men, and two field pieces, we marched at 10 o'clock p.m. towards the City of Coro (12 miles from La Vela) and before daylight the next day we took possession of it without any resistance. The Commandant Solas with his troops fled towards the interior mountains and left us in quiet possession of the capital and principal port of the province, this operation only required 24 hours time. The desire of showing confidence and friendship to the inhabitants may induce us in a short time to withdraw the troops from the town toward the sea shore for the purpose of keeping a regular communication with the navy, and following our operations in concert, towards Puerto Cavello, and Caraccas. I cannot express the satisfaction I feel in seeing the zeal, harmony and good understanding, that has constantly prevailed between the troops and the navy officers during the whole time we have been with Captain Campbell. Those officers that superintended the landing of the troops, and the piquets of the navy under Lieu' Bedingfield distinguished them- selves as worthy members of that body. I am with high respect and great consideration. Sir, Your most obedient, most humble servant Fran, de Miranda 'Admirals' Despatches, Jamaica, Vol. 24. Enclosure in Dacres' s letter of August 30 to the Secretary, No. xvil., post. Vice- Admiral Dacres was commander-in-chief on the Jamaica station. Toward the end of June Miranda and his British allies sailed from Barbadoes, toward the end of July from Trinidad to Coro. Other accounts of the actions at Coro may be found in Biggs, pp. 109-151, in a letter of Captain Donald Campbell printed in Marshall's Naval Biograpliy, X. 404-405, and in a letter written from Aruba, August 23, by an officer in Miranda's corps to his brother in New York, and printed by Sherman, pp. 11 3-1 18. VOL. VI.— 35.