FOOTNOTES:
[7] Kotzebue says 200.—"In the parallel of the Rio de la Plata, although 200 miles from land, we were daily carried by the current thirty-nine miles out of our course; so great is the influence of this mighty river."—Kotzebue's Voyage round the World, 1823-26.
[8] The distance between Point Piedras and Santa Lucia Point is fifty-three miles.
[9] Vessels drawing more than sixteen feet water seldom get nearer than seven or eight miles.
[10] In former times the commanders of our men-of-war established a good rule, that "no boat should go on shore without its anchor, and none leave it after sunset;" which, if attended to by our merchantmen, might prevent many a calamitous accident.
[11] They will be found in Purdy's "Sailing Directory, for the South Atlantic Ocean," published by Laurie, 1837, together with those of M. Barral of the French navy, the results of a still more recent survey of the River.
CHAPTER III.
CITY OF BUENOS AYRES.
First Impressions of Buenos Ayres. Date of the Foundation, and Insignificance of the Colony for a long period. Contraband Trade carried on through it a grievance to the Mother Country. Erected into a distinct Viceroyalty in 1776, and its trade opened in consequence of the modified system adopted by Spain about the same time. The advantages of this to Buenos Ayres.