, since these smuggling engagements are doubtless
very general and extensive; and, though the governors themselves
should detest so faithless a procedure, yet, as ships are perpetually
passing from one or other of the Brazilian ports to the Rio Plata,
the Spaniards could scarcely fail of receiving intelligence, by this
means, of any British ships being on the coast; and, however imperfect
such intelligence might be, it might prove injurious to the views and
interests of cruizers thus discovered.

As the Spanish trade in the South Seas is all in one direction, from
north to south, or the direct reverse, with very little deviation
to the eastward or westward, it is in the power, of two or three
cruisers, properly stationed on different parts of this track, to
possess themselves of every ship that puts to sea. This, however,
can only be the case so long as they continue concealed from the
neighbouring coast; for, the moment that an enemy is known to be in
these seas, all navigation is prohibited, and all chance of capture
is consequently at an end; as the Spaniards, well aware of these
advantages to an enemy, send expresses all along the coast, and lay
a general embargo on all trade; which measure they know will not
only prevent their vessels from being taken, but must soon oblige
all cruisers, that have not sufficient strength to attempt their
settlements on shore, to quit these seas for want of provisions. Hence
the great importance of carefully concealing all expeditions of this
kind is quite evident; and hence too it is obvious how extremely
prejudicial such intelligence must prove as that communicated by the
Portuguese to the Spaniards in our case, in consequence of touching at
the ports of Brazil. Yet it will often happen that ships, bound beyond
Cape Horn, may be obliged to call there for wood, water, and other
refreshments; in which case, St Catharines is the very last place I
would recommend; both because the proper animals for a live stock at
sea, as hogs, sheep, and fowls, are not to be procured there, for want
of which we found ourselves greatly distressed, being reduced to live
almost entirely on salt provisions; and because, from that port being
nearer the Rio Plata than many others of the Portuguese settlements,
the inducements and conveniences for betraying us to the Spaniards
were so much the stronger. The place I would recommend is Rio Janeiro,
where two of our squadron put in, after separating from us in