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Show 244 JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE " had spoken of it in all instances as a respectable branch " of the Christian religion, which as well as all others, " was tolerated in the United States; but that, had I cama " to that kingdom in a diplomatic character, delicacy to" wards the government would have scaled my lips. Had '' 1 b n a prisoner of war, personal safety might have " had the same effect; but being there in the capacity " which I w:ts; not voluntarily, but by coercion of the " Spanish governn1ent, but., who, at the same time had of " ficially notified 1ne that they did not consider me under " any rt.'straint wbatcvcr-thereforc, when called on, " ~h~mld always give my opinions freely, either as to poli. " tics or religion; but at the same time with urbanity, and "' a proper r spect to the legitimate authorities of the coun. " try where I was." lie replied, " Well you 1nay then rest assured y~ur " conduct will be represented in no very favorable pomt " of view to your government." I r plied, " To xny government I am certainly rc. " sponsiblc, and to no other." lie then left me, a~d I immediately waited on some of n1y friends and notified them of the threat, at which they appeared much alarmed, and we went immediately to consult - who, to great attachment to his friends, joined the most incorruptible loyalty and the confidence of the government. Our con· sultation ended in a determination only to be silent and watch events. W suspected to be the informant, but whc· ther just in our suspicion or not, I will not pretend to de· termine, for Robinson and 1nyself frequently used to hold conversations in his presence purposely to have them com· municated ; but he at last discovered our intentions, and told us, that if we calculated on making him a carrier of news, we w~e mistaken ; that he despised it. THROUGH THE INTERIOR PROVINCES, &c. ~45 25th April, Saturday.-At eleven o'clock called on his excellency, but was informed he was engaged: about three o'clock received a 1nessage frmn hin1 by lieutenant \\Talker, informing Inc that he was surprized I had notreturned, and to call without crremony in the evening, which I did, and presented him with a 1etter.':4; I-1e then also candidly infonncd me my party would not join mp in the territory of the lcing of Spain, but that thPy should be attended to punctually, and forwarded on in1n1ediately after me; but requested that I hould give orders to my sergeant to deliver up all his ammunition, and eli pose in son1e manner of the horses of which he had charge. 1 stated in reply, " that with respect to th anununition, I would give "orders to my sergeant to deliver (if demanded) all they " possessed, n1ore than was necessary to fill their horns ; " but that as to the horses, I considered their loss was a "charge which n1ust be adjusted between the two govern" ments, therefore should not give any directions respect" ing them, except as to bringing thetn on as far and as :' l?n~ as they were able to travel.'' He then gave me an mvitatiOn to dine with hin1 on the 1norrow. 26th April, Sunday.-Dined at the general's. In the evening went to Malgares, Zuloaga's and others. Wrote to my sergeant and Fero; to the latter of wh01n 1 sent ·ten doHars, and to the other 1 G I dollars 84 cents, to purchase clothes for the party. W c had been for sorne titne suspici~ us t~at the doctor was to be detained, but this evening he hkew1se obtained permission to pursue his journey with me, which diffused general joy through all the party. 27 April, Monday.-Spent the day in n1aking an·angments for our departure ; writing to the sergeant, &c. I will here mention some few anecdotes relative to---, with .. ·~ ee arpen d'' ' to part lll. [ No. 17.] page 8z. |
