kept up by us; a chain of posts established; and a communication
opened, and protected, with an extensive coast, and all the
richest, provinces of South America.
"Every person acquainted with the geography of the Spanish
territories, of the defenceless state of this approach to them, and
of the insurrections that had then actually taken place in Santa
Fe, Popayan, and many parts of Peru, formed the most sanguine
expectations. Happy was every man who had hopes of bearing any part
in the enterprise. Enthusiasm was never carried to greater height,
than by those who had promised to themselves the glory of shaking
Spain to her foundation. The colours of England were, in their
imagination, already even on the walls of Lima.
"And so, indeed, they might have been, had General Dalling met with
no obstacles in arranging the business in Jamaica: and, had there
been no delay in sending out the force from England; which did not
arrive till August, when it ought to have been on the Spanish Main
in January.
"The obstacles experienced by General Dalling, were many; and,
from various causes.
"A long continued martial law, and military preparations against a
threatened invasion by the French, had almost exhausted the island
of military stores and provisions. There was but little of either,
excepting in the king's ordnance and victualling magazines. Over
these the admiral claimed an exclusive command and controul, and
exercised his authority.
"This embarrassment, not to be viewed without regret, was however
in a great measure surmounted, by the powerful resources, and
spirited exertions, of a worthy and disinterested individual,
Hercules Ross, Esq. a merchant of Kingston, who enabled the general
to carry his government's orders into execution.
"Misunderstandings, opposition, and delays, the ruin of many
military operations, were the origin of the failure of this. But
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