Miranda and the Jh-itis/t Aih)iiyally 513 Spanish possessions South America, because in a (Geographical Division the line between North and South is drawn I believe across the Isthmus of Darien). Having explained according to my conception what it is pos- sible for France to do let us now examine whether we have it in our power to avert so fatal a calamity, let us see what are our means direct and in- direct, how we are to apply them and whether the objects to be obtained are e(iual to the risk and trouble of attaining them. The idea of conquer- ing South America is totally out of the question, but the possibility of gaining all its prominent points, alienating it from its present European connexions, fixing on some military position and enjoying all its com- mercial advantages can be reduced to a fair calculation, if not a certain operation ; the nerve and spirit which such an enterprize would give to this country if successful are incalculable, the riches that it would bring in, the new sources that it would open for our manufactures and naviga- tion both from Europe and Terra firma, and from Asia to the Pacifick are equally incalculable and the popularity and stability that it v^'ould give any (lovernment that undertook it may be estimated from the preceding propositions with the additional satisfaction of knowing that some ac- counts must be received of the result of its first operation in three months after it sailed from England. In offering my opinion as to the best points of descent, I beg it may be understood, that they have been previously submitted to General Miranda, and met his fullest approbation. First, Trinidad as a rendez- vous for all the operations on Terra Firma between the River Oronoque and .Santa Martha which is a little to the Eastward of Carthagina. And here let me observe that the province of Sante Fe de Bogota and the Caracca's on which the General rests his greatest Faith may with their in- fluence be considered to contain all that tract of country from Oronoque West to the Pacific Ocean, about 350 leagues and certainly from the lati- tude of 11° N to the Line, this will include also Province of Quito which is guided by the same principles as the Caracca's and Santa Fe. . . Our dependance on the disposition of these provinces must rest on the faith we have in the correspondence which has been communicated by General Miranda ; I have had a most confidential intercourse with him for some time, and I think his letters and papers are in such a fair and regu- lar succession that no doubt can exist of the fact and as most of the original letters have been shown or transmitted to some part of His Majesty's Government, I shall only insert an extract of a letter from Trinidad, as I am now on the subject of that island, under date the 20'!" of July last from M' Lambert a resident merchant and planter there. " It appears the ramifications of the project are extended beyond what can be imagined, and so much so that many leading characters have no connexion with others who are employed in the same plans at very remote places from each other so that upon the whole nothing seems to be wanted but a chief, and place de ralliement." This account was confirmed by Mr Fitzwilliam a merchant who is just arrived from that place and has had the Honor of seeing Lord Melville,
