Spanish naval preparations for her South American expedition according to the Dutch newspaper Nederlandsche Staatscourant dated 2 November 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 item dated Madrid 15 October reported that the expedition force was in the best possible state with general count Calderon maintaining a severe military discipline. The rumors that the army stores were burned and the transports were destroyed were nonsense. The date of the expedition was just delayed