livery to convene a common-hall on the subject of the money being sent to the emperor, without the consent of parliament, he acquiesced in it immediately-the constitution of the city was similar to the constitution of the country, and it was as injurious to city interest for one branch to assume the privileges of another, as for one branch of the constitution to invade the rights of another-and with this view he could not but be the more anxious to maintain the independence of the livery, because upon a view of national circumstances it appears, that in proportion as the liberty of the subject has been abridged, the Calamity of the country has increased-in proportion as the people have confided in the measures of the minister, without controul or enquiry, the oppression of the subject has been increased, and the national disasters multiplied. He returned thanks for the honour they conferred upon him, and repeated bis assurances, that when he was left to himself he should follow the dictates of conscience; when his constituents thought proper to instruct him, he would be their obedient representative.

Mr. Waithman moved, "That the foregoing resolutions be published in all the morning and evening papers," which was seconded by Mr. Cox.

from lieutenant-general sir R. Abercromby, K. B. to the right honour able Henry Dundas, of which the following is a copy. Head-quarters, Trinidad, Feb. 27, 1797.

SIR,

On my arrival in this country, I did not fail to lay before the admiral my instructions, and to consult with him upon the means to carry them into execution. I found in him every desire to co-operate in the execution of the views to which they are directed. The arrival of part of the convoy from England enabled us to proceed with confidence in our operations; therefore, ast soon as the troops could be collected from the different islands, which were ordered to rendezvous at Cariacou, the admiral sailed from Martinique, which island he left with his squadron on the 12th in

stant.

The precision with which the admiral had given his orders to assemble his ships of war and transports, left us not a moment of delay. On the 15th, in the morning, the fleet sailed from Cariacou; on the 16th, in the afternoon, it passed through the Bocas, or entrance into the Gulf of Paria, where we found the Spanish admiral with four sail of the line and a frigate, at anchor, under cover of the island of Gaspar Grande, which was fortified.

Our squadron worked up, and came to anchor opposite to, and Dearly within gun-shot of the Spanish ships. The frigates and transports were ordered to anchor higher up in the bay, and at the distance nearly of five miles from the town of Port d'Espagne. The disposition was immediately made for landing at day-light next morning, and for a general attack upon the town and ships of war.

At two o'clock in the morning of the 17th, we perceived the Spanish squadron to be on fire; the ships burnt with great fury. One line of battle ship excepted, which escaped the conflagration, and was taken possession of at day-light in the morning, by the boats from our fleet; the enemy at the same time evacuated the island, and abandoned that quarter.

This unexpected turn of affairs directed our whole attention to the attack of the town. The troops were immediately ordered to land, and, as soon as a few hundred men could be got on shore, about four miles to the westward of it, we advanced, meeting with little or no resistance. Before night we were masters of Port d'Espagne and the neighbourhood, two small forts excepted. In the morning a capitulation was entered into with the governor, Don Chacon, and in the evening all the Spanish troops laid down their arms, and the whole colony passed under the dominion of his Britannic majesty.

Copies of the capitulation, of the store and provisions taken, are herewith transmitted.

It is a peculiar satisfaction to me, that there is no list of killed or wounded; lieutenant Villeneuve, of the 8th regiment of foot, who was brigade major to brigadier-general Hompesch, being the only person who was wounded, and he is since dead of his wounds.

From the admiral I have experienced every possible co-operation. Captain Woolley, of his majesty's ship the Arethusa, and captain Wood, of the Favourite sloop of war, who had been sent to reconnoitre in the Gulph of Paria, afforded us minute information of the situa tion of the enemy previous to our arrival. Captain Captain Woolley, who

directed

directed the disembarkation, shewed al the zeal and intelligence which I have experienced from him on former occasions. To lord Craven, who begged to attend the expedition, I am indebted for great zeal and exertion.

Lieutenant-colonel Soter, who is intimately acquainted with this country, has been, and continues to be, of very great use to me. I should not do justice to his general character, if I did not take this opportunity to express it. My aidde camp, captain Drew, of the 45th regiment, will have the honour to deliver this letter: he has served long in this country, and is capable to give such farther information as may be required. I humbly beg leave to recommend him to his majesty's favour.

I have the honour to be, &c.

R. ABERCROMBY, K. B. Articles of capitulation for the surrender of the island of Trinidad, between his excellency sir Ralph Abercromby, K B. commander in chief of his Britannic majesty's land forces; his excellency Henry Harvey, esq. rear-admiral of the red, and commander in chief of his Britannic majesty's ships and vessels of war; and his excellency Don Josef Maria Chacon, knight of the order of Calatrava, brigadier of the royal navy, governor and commander in chief of the island of Trinidad and its dependencies, inspector-general of the troops of its garrison, &c. &c &c.

Art. I. The officers and troops of his Catholic majesty, and his allies, in the island of Trinidad, are to surrender themselves prisoners of war, and are to deliver up the territory, forts, buildings, arms, am

munition, money, effects, plans, and stores, with exact inventories thereof, belonging to his Catholic majesty ; and they are thereby transferred to his Britannic majesty, in the same manner and possession as has been held heretofore by his said Catholic majesty.

Art. II. The troops of his Catholic majesty are to march out with the honours of war, and to lay down their arms, at the distance of three hundred paces from the forts they occupy, at five o'clock this evening, the 18th of February.

Art. III. All the officers and troops aforesaid of his Catholic ma◄ jesty are allowed to keep their private effects, and the officers are allowed to wear their swords.

Art. IV. Admiral Don Sebastian Ruiz de Apodaca, being on shore in the island, after having burnt and abandoned his ships, he, with the officers and men belonging to the squadron under his command, are included in this capitulation, under the same terms as are granted to his Catholic majesty's troops.

Art. V. As soon as ships can be conveniently provided for the purpose, the prisoners are to be conveyed to Old Spain, they remaining prisoners of war until exchanged by a cartel between the two nations, or until the peace; it being clearly understood that they shall not serve against Great Britain or her allies until exchanged.

Art. VI. There being some officers among his Catholic majesty's troops, whose private affairs require their presence at different places of the continent of America, such officers are permitted to go upon their parole to the said places for six months, more or less, after which period they are to return to Europe; but as the number receiving

(D 4)

this

jesty.

Art. VII. The officers of the royal administration, upon the delivery of stores with which they are charged to such officers as may be appointed by the British commanders, will receive receipts, according to the custom in like cases, from the officers so appointed to receive

the stores.

Art. VIII. All the private property of the inhabitants, as well Spaniards as such as may have been naturalized, is preserved to them.

Art. IX. All public records are to be preserved in such courts or offices as they are now in, and all contracts or purchases between individuals, which have been done according to the laws of Spain, are to be held binding and valid by the British government.

Art. X. The Spanish officers of administration, who are possessed of landed property in Trinidad, are allowed to remain in the island, they taking the oaths of allegiance to his Britannic majesty; and they are further allowed, should they please, to sell or dispose of their property, and to retire elsewhere.

Art. XI. The free exercise of their religion is allowed to the in

habitants.

Art. XII The free-coloured people, who have been acknowledged as such by the laws of Spain, shall be protected in their liberty, persons, and property, like other inhabitants; they taking the oath of allegiance, and demeaning themselves as become good and peace

Art. XIII. The sailors and saldiers of his Catholic majesty are, from the time of their laying down their arms, to be fed by the British government, leaving the expence to be regulated by the cartel between the two nations.

Art. XIV. The sick of the Spanish troops will be taken care of, but to be attended, and to be under the inspection, of their own surgeons.

Art. XV. All the inhabitants of Trinidad shall, within thirty days from the date hereof, take the oath of allegiance to his Britannic majesty, to demean themselves quietly and faithfully to his government, upon pain, in case of non-compliance, of being sent away from the island.

Done at Port d'Espagne, in the island of Trinidad, the 18th day of February, 1797.

RALPH ABERCROMBY.
HENRY HARVEY.

JOSEPH MARIA CHACON. Return of the Spanish garrison of the island of Trinidad made prisoners of war, February 18, 1797.

Royal artillery.-1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 43 non-commissioned officers, drummers, and privates.

Engineers.1 brigadier, 2 captains, I subaltern.

Trinidad regiment.--2 lieutenantcolonels, 2 captains, 15 subalterns, 1 adjutant, 2 ensigns, 1 surgeon, 1 chaplain, 504 non-commissioned officers, drummers and privates.

French officers.-1 lieutenantcolonel, 3 captains, 1 subaltern, 2 engineers.

Fifty men sick in general hos

pital.

JOHN HOPE, adj.-gen. Return