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Show JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE. " had spoken of it in all instances as a respectable branch " of the Christian r ligion, which as well as all others, " was tolerated in the United States; but that, had I came " to that kingdom in a diplomatic character, delicacy to. " wards the government would have sealed 1ny lips. Had " I been a prisoner of war, personal safety might have " had the same cfrcct ; but being there in the capacity " which I w1s; not voluntarily, but by coercion of the " Spanish government, but., who, at the san1e time had of. " ficially notified me that they did not consider me under " any 1·cstraint whatever-therefore, when called on, " should always give n1y opinions fre ly, either as to poli" tics or religion; but at the sam ' time with urbanity, and ~ a proper respect to the legitimate authorities of the coun" try \vhcre I was." lie rC'plied, " Well you may then r est assured your " co1uluct will be repres 'ntcd in no very favorable point " of view to your government." I replied, " To my government I am certainly re- " sponsible, and to no other." lie then left me, and I imn1ediatcly waited on some of my friends and notified them of the thrl!at, at which they appeared much alarmed, and we went irmnediatcly to consult who, to great attachment to his friends, joined the most incorruptible loyalty and the confidence of the government. Our consultatiOn ended in a uetermination only to be silent and watch events. We suspected to be the informant, but whe· ther just in our suspicion or not, I will not pretend to de· termine, for Robinson and myself frequently used to hold conversations in his presence purposely to have them communicated ; but he at last discovered our intentions, and told us, that if we calculated on making him a carrier of news, we were 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 r ceivcd a message from him by lieutenant Walker, informing me that he was surprized I had not returned, and to call without ceremony in the evening, which I did, and presented him with a letter.* I Ie then al o candidly informed me my party would not join me in the territory of the king of Spain, but ~11at they should be attended to punctually, and forwarded on in1mediatcly after me; but requested that I should give orders to my sergeant to deliver up all his ammunition, and dispose in some manner of the horses of which he had charge. I stated in reply, "that with respect to the ammunition, I would give 1 " 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 betwPen the two govern" ments, therefore should not give any directions respect .. " ing the1n, except as to bringing them on as far and as " long as they were able to travel. '' l-Ie then gave me an invitation to dine with him on the 1norrow. 26th April, Suuday.-Dined at the general's. In the evening went to Malgares, Zuloaga's and others. Wrote to my sergeant and 1! ero ; to the latter of whon1 I sent ten dollars, and to the other 161 dollars 84 cents, to purchase clothes for the party. We had been for some time suspicious that the doctor was to be detained, but this evening he likewise obtained permission to pursue his journey with me, which diffused general joy through all the party. 27 April, Monday.-Spent the day in 1naking arrangmcnts for our departure; writing to the sergeant, &c. I will here mention some few anecdotes relative to , with • Sec appendix to part Ill. [No. 17·] pa~e 8~. |