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Show 268 JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE I will here attempt to pourtray a faint resemblance of the characters of the two governors whom we found at Saint Antonio; but whose super-excellent qualities it would require the pen of a master to do justice. Don Antonio Cordero, is about five feet ten inches in height, fifty years of age, fair complexion, and blue eyes : he wore his hair turned back, and in every part of his deportment was legibly written " The Soldier." He yet possessed an excellent constitution, and a body which appeared to be neither impaired by the fatigues of the various campaigns he had made, nor disfigured by the numerous wounds received fron1 the enemies of his king. He was one of the select officers who had been chosen by the court of Madrid to be sent to America about 35 years since, to discipline and organize the Spanish provincials, and had been employed in all the various kingdoms and provinces of New Spain. Through the parts which we explored, he was universally beloved and respected; and when I pronounce him by far the most popular man in the internal provinces, I risk nothing by the assertion. He spoke the Latin and French languages well-was generous, gallant, brave, and sincerely attached to his king and country. Those numerous qualifications have advanced him to the rank of colonel of cavalry, and governor of the provinces of Cogquilla and Texas. Ilis usual residence was Montclovez, which he had embellished a great deal, but since our taking possession of Louisiana, he had re· moved to Saint Antonio, in order to be nearer the frontier, to be able to apply the remedy to any evil which might arise from the collision of our lines. Don Simon de Herrara, is about five feet eleven inches high, has a sparkling black eye, .dark complexion and hair. l-Ie was born in the Canary Islands, served in the infantry in France, Spain and FhUldcrs, and speaks the THROUGH THE INTERIOR PROVINCES, &c. <}60 French language well, and a little of the English. lie is engaging in his conversation with his equals; polite and obliging to his inferiors, and in all his actions one of the most gallant and acc01nplishcd n1en I ever knew. He possesses a great knowledge of mankind from his experience in various countries and societies, and knows how to empLoy the genius of each of his subordinates to advantage. l-Ie had been in the United States during the presidency of general Washington, and had been intro· duced to that hero, of whmn he spoke in tenns of exalted veneration. He is now lieutenant-colonel of irifantry, and governor of the kingdom of New Leon. His seat of government is Mont Elrey ; and probably, if ever a chief was adored by his people it is Herrara. \Vhen his time expired last, he immediately repaired to Mexico, attended by SOO of the n1ost respectable people of his government, who carried with them the sighs, tears and prayers of thousands that he tnight be continued in that government. The viceroy thought proper to accord to their wishes pro tempore, and the king has since confirmed his nomination. When I saw him he had been about one year absent, during which time the citizens of Rank in Mont .Elrey had not suffered a marriage or baptism to take place in any of their families, until their common father could be there, to tonsent and give joy to the occasion by his presence ..... What greater proof could be given of their esteem and love? In drawing a parrallel between the two friends, 1 should say that Cordero was the man of greatest reading, and that Herrara posses ed the greatest knowledge of the world. Cordero has lived all his life a batchelor. Ilerrara married an English Lady in early youth, at Cadiz, who by her suavity of manners makes herst.>lf as much be. loved and esteemed by the ladies as her noble husband |