Wright. His subsequent conduct in an expedition from Cadiz, the result of which was the expulsion of the enemy from Moguer (a town on the Huebla river), and the adjacent coast, procured him honorable mention in the London Gazette, as will be seen by reference to p. 209 of Suppl. Part IV. He also commanded the boats of the Implacable in frequent actions with the French batteries between Rota and Puerto-Santa-Maria, both previous to and after this expedition[1].
Between Sept. 6th, 1810, and Feb. 18th, 1811, the Implacable was employed in conducting two Spanish first-rates from Cadiz to the Havannah, and in bringing back dollars to a large amount, shipped at Vera Cruz. On the day after the glorious battle of Barrosa, Lieutenant Westphal assisted at the attack and capture of the enemy’s works between Catalina and Santa Maria, whilst at the same time his captain was employed in securing and bringing off the prisoners taken by the British army[2].
The situation of Spain and her colonies at this period presented a singular spectacle to the world: – the mother country was contending with a powerful and vindictive enemy, for her existence as a nation; whilst her subjects abroad, taking advantage of her weakness and difficulties, thought it a favorable opportunity to throw off her yoke, and assert their own independence. In this extremity the conduct of England formed a striking contrast to that of Spain in 1778, "when she was similarly situated: she not only sent armies and fleets to fight against the invader, but commissioners were appointed to endeavour to effect a reconciliation between Old Spain and her trans-atlantic provinces. This measure originated with the British ambassador and naval commander-in-chief at Cadiz (Sir Henry Wellesley and Sir Richard G. Keats), who considering it most essential to Great Britian, as well as Spain, and indeed to the cause of Europe in general, that some measures should be taken to stop, if possible, the progress of revolt in South America, and to reconcile the colonies to the mother country, so as
