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. In Dutch newspapers are some small items published dealing with this logistic problem.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 29 September 1818 published an extract from a letter dated Irun, Spain 12 September reporting that the government still continued with fitting out the large expedition. Troops were marching to Andalusia, numerous detachments sailors coming from the sea departments were gathered, the squadron was fitted out, transports collected and artillery, war stores and ammunition stored. Three beautiful 44-gun Russian frigates were daily expected at Cadiz to be part of the expedition which included 4 ships of the line, 6 1st class frigates, some corvettes and 30 large transports. The intention was to depart towards South America in coming October.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 22 December 1818 published an extract of a letter dated Irun, Spain 30 November that for some days large amounts of money was send from Madrid to Cadiz necessary to pay the costs of the expedition. A large sum received from Lima was with the same purpose transferred to Cadiz. Although it was possible to give an exact date of departure it was hoped that this would be soon. An extract of a letter dated Madrid 30 November reported that at Cadiz and other harbours an embargo was placed for vessels of a certain measurement suitable to serve as troop transports.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 22 January 1819 published an extract of a letter dated Cadiz 22 December 1818 according to which the arrival of more transports was daily expected. At that moment there was just a transport capacity for 4,000-5,000 men. Ships were expected from the Peninsula, France and England.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 20 February 1819 published an item dated Madrid 2 February reporting that at Cadiz the needed transports for the expedition still were awaited.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 16 March published an item dated Madrid 27 February reporting that all efforts were done to collect the money to pay for the enormous costs of the expedition which probably would depart from Cadiz in begin May. All the ships of the line, frigates and corvettes which were part of the expedition were completely fitted out and equipped, even with too large crews. The best officers were appointed as commanding officers. All ready were many transports gathered in the bay of Cadiz although a large number was expected coming from Barcelona, Bayonne and England.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 18 March published an item dated London 12 March reporting that the agent of the Spanish government succeeded in hiring two ships to transport troops to South America namely the Clarence of 316 and the Wellington of 365 last. He paid 3 months hire in advance.
The Bredasche Courant dated 17 April published an item dated Madrid 1 April reporting that recently 20 fully fitted out transports arrived at Cadiz coming from England, Bordeaux and Bayonne and a much larger number was expected.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant 7 July 1819 published an item dated Cadiz 15 June that all efforts were done to load the transports with the artillery, victuals and war stores. Recently arrived 20 new completely equipped transports of 10 from France. The military discipline was very strictly maintained by general O’Donnell. The date of departure was unknown.
The Bredasche Courant dated 31 July published an item dated London 23 July reporting that according to the government newspapers the Spanish government recently hired again 32 transports in England which were to sail in August to Cadiz where they were to embark troops for the large expedition towards South America. At Bordeaux, France were for Spanish account some warships built to serve in the same expedition.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 4 August 1819 published an item dated 30 July according to which a letter dated Cadiz 6 July reported that 12 troop transport (6 French, 2 Russian, 2 Spanish and 2 English) received orders to depart. According to rumours was their destination Havana. These transports were part of the large expedition which could depart not earlier as September.
The newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 9 August 1819 published an item dated Madrid 22 July reporting that the expedition with 3,000 men left on 17 July Cadiz probably to the mainland of South America or towards Cuba. The 2 regiments of cavalry of Catalonia and Malaga were commanded by lieutenant general Cagigal (1), since a long time appointed as captain general if Caracas. The embarking with troops was successful despite the problems some days earlier. The convoy existed of 12 transports namely 7 Spanish, 2 British, 2 Russian and one French and which was escorted by the frigate Sabine and the brig le Leger.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 23 October published an item dated London 19 October reporting that tidings dated Cadiz 28 September were received that the town was harassed by yellow fever and ten of the masters of the transports died caused by this disease.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 2 November 1819 published an item dated Madrid 15 October reporting that the expedition force was in the best possible state with general count Calderon maintaining a severe military discipline. The rumours that the army stores were burned and the transports were destroyed were nonsense. The date of the expedition was just delayed.
Note
1. Juan Manuel Cajigal y Niño (1754 Cadiz - 26 November 1823 Guanabacoa), appointed in 1819 as captain general of Cuba, 28 December 1813-1 December 1815 captain general of Venezuela.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 29 September 1818 published an extract from a letter dated Irun, Spain 12 September reporting that the government still continued with fitting out the large expedition. Troops were marching to Andalusia, numerous detachments sailors coming from the sea departments were gathered, the squadron was fitted out, transports collected and artillery, war stores and ammunition stored. Three beautiful 44-gun Russian frigates were daily expected at Cadiz to be part of the expedition which included 4 ships of the line, 6 1st class frigates, some corvettes and 30 large transports. The intention was to depart towards South America in coming October.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 22 December 1818 published an extract of a letter dated Irun, Spain 30 November that for some days large amounts of money was send from Madrid to Cadiz necessary to pay the costs of the expedition. A large sum received from Lima was with the same purpose transferred to Cadiz. Although it was possible to give an exact date of departure it was hoped that this would be soon. An extract of a letter dated Madrid 30 November reported that at Cadiz and other harbours an embargo was placed for vessels of a certain measurement suitable to serve as troop transports.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 22 January 1819 published an extract of a letter dated Cadiz 22 December 1818 according to which the arrival of more transports was daily expected. At that moment there was just a transport capacity for 4,000-5,000 men. Ships were expected from the Peninsula, France and England.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 20 February 1819 published an item dated Madrid 2 February reporting that at Cadiz the needed transports for the expedition still were awaited.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 16 March published an item dated Madrid 27 February reporting that all efforts were done to collect the money to pay for the enormous costs of the expedition which probably would depart from Cadiz in begin May. All the ships of the line, frigates and corvettes which were part of the expedition were completely fitted out and equipped, even with too large crews. The best officers were appointed as commanding officers. All ready were many transports gathered in the bay of Cadiz although a large number was expected coming from Barcelona, Bayonne and England.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 18 March published an item dated London 12 March reporting that the agent of the Spanish government succeeded in hiring two ships to transport troops to South America namely the Clarence of 316 and the Wellington of 365 last. He paid 3 months hire in advance.
The Bredasche Courant dated 17 April published an item dated Madrid 1 April reporting that recently 20 fully fitted out transports arrived at Cadiz coming from England, Bordeaux and Bayonne and a much larger number was expected.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant 7 July 1819 published an item dated Cadiz 15 June that all efforts were done to load the transports with the artillery, victuals and war stores. Recently arrived 20 new completely equipped transports of 10 from France. The military discipline was very strictly maintained by general O’Donnell. The date of departure was unknown.
The Bredasche Courant dated 31 July published an item dated London 23 July reporting that according to the government newspapers the Spanish government recently hired again 32 transports in England which were to sail in August to Cadiz where they were to embark troops for the large expedition towards South America. At Bordeaux, France were for Spanish account some warships built to serve in the same expedition.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 4 August 1819 published an item dated 30 July according to which a letter dated Cadiz 6 July reported that 12 troop transport (6 French, 2 Russian, 2 Spanish and 2 English) received orders to depart. According to rumours was their destination Havana. These transports were part of the large expedition which could depart not earlier as September.
The newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 9 August 1819 published an item dated Madrid 22 July reporting that the expedition with 3,000 men left on 17 July Cadiz probably to the mainland of South America or towards Cuba. The 2 regiments of cavalry of Catalonia and Malaga were commanded by lieutenant general Cagigal (1), since a long time appointed as captain general if Caracas. The embarking with troops was successful despite the problems some days earlier. The convoy existed of 12 transports namely 7 Spanish, 2 British, 2 Russian and one French and which was escorted by the frigate Sabine and the brig le Leger.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 23 October published an item dated London 19 October reporting that tidings dated Cadiz 28 September were received that the town was harassed by yellow fever and ten of the masters of the transports died caused by this disease.
The Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 2 November 1819 published an item dated Madrid 15 October reporting that the expedition force was in the best possible state with general count Calderon maintaining a severe military discipline. The rumours that the army stores were burned and the transports were destroyed were nonsense. The date of the expedition was just delayed.
Note
1. Juan Manuel Cajigal y Niño (1754 Cadiz - 26 November 1823 Guanabacoa), appointed in 1819 as captain general of Cuba, 28 December 1813-1 December 1815 captain general of Venezuela.
