“Purchas,” iv.;
“Travels in Brazil,” Koster (H.); 1817;
Conder (Josiah), “Brazil and Buenos Ayres,” 1830;
“Relation d’un Voyage dans l’Interieur de l’Amérique Meridionale aux cotes du Brazil;” Maest, 1778; and
“Duguay-Trouin, Mémoires de;” Petitot, 2nde ser., lxxv.
CHAPTER XVIII.
REPULSE OF GENERAL WHITELOCKE AT BUENOS AYRES.
1806-1807.
1805.
Spain having taken part with Napoleon against the English, by granting the former a monthly subsidy, gave the latter power to make reprisals on the Spanish colonies. The first act of war was the seizure of four transports coming from La Plata—an act which decided Charles IV. to declare himself openly the ally of Napoleon in the war, which declaration was followed by the destruction of the Spanish fleet by Nelson at Trafalgar. To this disaster may in a great measure be traced the facility with which the Spanish possessions in South America were subsequently enabled to throw off the yoke of Spain.
At the time when Nelson and the waves were accomplishing their work of destruction the English Government despatched to the Southern Atlantic a force of six thousand six hundred and fifty men, under the orders of Sir David Baird. The destination of this expedition was kept a secret, but it took the direction of Brazil, then in alliance with England.