our sick (we had only ten serviceahle men on deck), we might
not he detained, as even a few hours might prove of serious
consequence; hut all I could urge was unavailing, and we
were detained until daylight with trifling excuses. We were so
situated, that unless the hrig veered her cahle, or dropped out
of our way, we could not move without getting foul of her, else
I should have proceeded without permission. After daylight,
the brig gave us room, by tripping her anchor; and upon an
officer coming on board to release us, I told him my opinion of
the affair, and said I should report the captain’s conduct to his
ádmiral. This report was afterwards made, in a very spirited
manner, by Captain Henry Dundas, of H.M.S. Sapphire ; but
the admiral defended the conduct of his officer by saying that
he had merely acted, “ magna componere parvis,” as an English
blockading squadron would have done in a similar case.
Whether the act was borne out, or not, by the law or custom
of blockade, it was very uncivil; and one for which, after
the explanation given, and the proofs offered, there could not
be the slightest occasion. Owing to this detention, we did not
reach the anchorage at Monte Video until too late in tlie day
to procure refreshments for the sick. We found, to our sorrow,
that fresh provisions were so extremely scarce, owing to the
war, that none could be procured for our ships’ companies;
and had it not been for the kindness of Señor Juanico, a well-
known, and highly esteemed resident at Monte Video, who
supplied us plentifully with bitter (Seville) oranges, we might
have been much distressed. The free use, however, of this fruit
alone caused a rapid change in the health of those affected by
scurvy, and in less than a week every man was at his duty.
A few days after our arrival, through the intervention of the
British minister, a peace was concluded between the belligerents,
in which Buenos Ayres gained all it had contended for,
and Brazil gave up what she had so imperiously demanded.
I was extremely gratified by meeting, at this port, the late
Captain Henry Foster, in H.M.S. Chanticleer, on his pendulum
voyage. He was established at an observatory on a
small island, called Hat, or Rabbit Island, whither I lost no
íi;í'