Noteː In September 1775 the frontier settlement of Colônia do Sacramento on the Rio de la Plata was then under close blockade by Spanish forces, although Spain and Portugal had been formally at peace since the end of the Seven Years War in 1763. Colônia had been captured by Spanish forces in October 1762 but, although a Portuguese attempt to re-take it in January 1763 had been rebuffed, diplomatic considerations had caused it to be restored to Portugal under the peace treaty.
Seeː Third invasion of Portugal (Alentejo)
More information Ships involved were the old 60-gun privateer Lord Clive ex-.HMS Kingston (under command of an adventurer, Macnamara) with the 40-gun ex-Royal Navy frigate Ambuscade in support. Portuguese regular warships led by the frigate Gloria (38 guns) were involved. The force arrived at Colonia del Sacramento at 0600 hrs on 6 January 1763. The attacking British fired a total of 3000 cannonballs, crossbar sho and grapeshot. The dead of the Lord Clive (which had engaged Fort Santa Rita) numbered 272 including MacNamara and the captain McDouall. Lord Clive was a ship in British ownership and not a warship. She had attacked a Spanish colony with intent to invade and pillage. Britain was not at war with Spain. There was also a question about the flag the ship had worn. The Letters of Marque could not possibly cover these circumstances and so the officers were condemned to death and hanged in the plaza of Fort Santa Rita.
signed and dated : Lt. Wm Elliott 1791

Naval officer and marine painter William Elliott began his career by entering the Royal Navy. He is probably the William Elliot who began as Master’s Mate aboard the ‘Roebuck’; was promoted to Lieutenant in 1782 and to Captain in 1810. The subjects of his paintings were mainly ships in conflict, at anchor or in stormy weather. Elliott first exhibited at the Free Society of Artists in 1774. He also showed his work at the Royal Academy (1784-89) and the Incorporated Society of Artists (1790-91). He was elected a fellow of the Incorporated Society and its President in 1791. Many of his works were engraved by the printmaker and publisher Valentine Green (1739-1813) and Elliott also produced some aquatint versions himself.
Government Art Collection, London , inv./cat.nr 3437.