Spanish naval preparations for her South American expedition according to the Dutch newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 22 January 1819

After the Napoleonic wars suffered Spain huge problems in keeping her South American colonies. To be able to do so were almost continuous ships and troops send to that continent. In 1818-1819 did Spain all possible efforts to fit out a huge expedition. Lacking enough transports for the troops was the government obliged to hire ships abroad. An extract of a letter dated Cadiz 22 December 1818 reported that the arrival of more transports was daily expected. At that moment there was just a transport capacity for 4,000-5,000 men available. Ships were expected from the Peninsula, France and England.