Between 1798 and 1799, two French privateers, Captain Carbonell and Captain Le Bozec, used the port of Montevideo as a base. The modus operandi of the commanders of, vessels Le Grand Bonaparte and La Republicaine, respectively, was to stalk their prey near Rio de Janeiro, maritime waters sailed by enemies of France: the Portuguese and the English. The prey was then conducted to the port of Montevideo for sale of ships and their cargo. The actions of the two captains lay bare a set of relationships in the La Plata River area, highlighting some of the tensions within the trading class, especially between Brazilian traders and those linked to Cadiz.1733419443