against all vessels trading to ports occupied by the independent forces. The complaint that gave rise to this correspondence was made to Captain Lloyd by a Mr. James Fraser, who stated, that on the 4th October, 1820, whilst on a voyage from the islands of St. Vincent and Trinidad to Angostura, and being then at the entrance of the river Orinoco, the Eagle was fired at by a brig under Spanish colours, and notwithstanding an English ensign was immediately hoisted, and sail shortened, still the firing continued until the schooner was boarded by a flecherra, mounting two guns, and carrying about 20 men, at the head of whom was Manuel Nieves. Immediately upon boarding, the crew of the flecherra spread themselves in all parts of the schooner, taking possession of every thing they could find, including personal property. Mr. M‘Arthur expressed his disapprobation of this conduct, but in the most moderate language. The crew being taken out, and removed to the brig, by a second flecherra, Nieves then searched the trunks of the passengers, and upon Mr. M‘Arthur remarking, that he had been twice taken by the enemies of his country, but never before experienced such treatment, the miscreant, without any further provocation, rushed forward with a drawn sword, and ran it thrice through his body. The unfortunate man was then thrown below, followed by seven blood-thirsty fellows, who tied his arms behind, whilst others held themselves in readiness to haul him up again by the same rope with which be was pinioned. This was no sooner done, than Nieves, grasping his sword in both hands, again stabbed him in three several places, and ended by ordering him, although yet alive and groaning, to be thrown overboard. Mr. Fraser and three other passengers, Messrs. James W. Brown (part owner), James Boddington, and George Davidson, the latter a military officer, were then seized and tied in a similar manner, preparatory to their being shot, which was about to be carried into effect, when a Spaniard, named Jose Freyre, humanely interfered in their behalf, representing to Nieves, that they had done nothing which merited death, imploring him to reflect on the probable consequences of such a massacre of British subjects, and
