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Show )68 JOURNAL OF t\ VOYAGE I will here attempt to pom·tray a faint rcscmhlancc 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. J)on Antonio Conlcro, is about five t 'et ten inches in h ight, fifty years of ag , fair complexion, and blue eyes : he wore his hair turn 'd back, and in every part of his J cportm nt was legibly writt 'n " The Soldier." He yet possessed an excellent constitution, and a body \\hich appeared to be n it her impaire<.l by the fatigues of the various e<.unp;tigns h · h:-td mad ', nor disfig ured by the numerous wounds r ccivecl from the enemies of his king. He was t ne of the select officers who had been chosen by thr rnurl of Madrid to be sent to J\n1erica about 35 years since, to discipline and organize the Spani h provincials, and had been employed in all the various kingdoms and provinces of N ew Spain. Through the parts which we cxplorcJ, he was universally beloved and respected; and when I pronounce him by far the most popular man in the intcrlltz! provinrc.r, I risk nothing by the assertion. lie spoke the Latin and French languages well-was generous, gallant, brave, and sincerely attached to his kingand country. Those numerous qualification~ have advanceJ him to th~ rank of colonel of cavalry, and governor of the provinces of CogquilLt and Texas. I lis usual residence was Montdovc:?-, which h · had cmbcllisheJ a great deal, but since our taking possession of Louisiana, he .had.rc· n1ovetl to Saint Antonio, in order to be nearer the frontiCr, to be able to apply the r emedy to any evil which might arise ti-01n the collision of our lines. Don Simon de I Icrrara, is about five feet ,clc\'Cn inchc~ high, has a sparkling black eye, dark complcxi~n and hair. I Ic was born in the Canary Island , served lll thl· iuLUltry in France, Spain and FlanJers, and speaks tht' THROUGH THE IN fERIOH PROVINCES, &:c. 26 J French language well, and a little of the Engli~h. lie is engaging in his conversation with his cq uals ; polite and obliging to his inferiors, and in all his actions one of tlw most gallant and accomplished men T ever knew. He possesses a g reat knowledge or manl ind from his experience in various countries and soch~ties, and know~.> how to employ the genius of each of his subordinates to advantage. lie had been in the United States during till.! presidency of general \Nashington, and had been in troduced to that hero, of wh01n he spoke in terms of exalted veneration. lie is now lieutenant-colonel of infantry, and governor of the kingdom of N cw Leon. Ilis scat of government is Mont EJ rey; and probab ly, if ever a chier was adored by his people it is IIerrara. \Vhen his time expired last, he immediately repaired to Mexico, attended by 300 of the most respectable people of his government, who carried with them the ighs, tears anJ prayers of thousands that he might be continued in that government. The viceroy thought proper to accord to their wishes pi·o tempore, and the king has since confirmed his nomination . . When I saw him he had been about one year absent, dunng which time the citizens of Rank in lVJont .Elrcy had not. s~fle~·~d a marriage or baptism to tak • place in any of their fanuhcs, until their common f~tther could be there to consent and give joy to the occasion by hiD presence '. .... What greater proof could be given of their estce1n and love? In drawing a parrallcl between the two friend~, I should say that Cordero was the m:1n of 1rrea1 est rcadiJJ o· (') ()' and that II •rrara po~scsscd th great st knoYvlcdge of tlw Worltl. Cordero has lived all his life a batchelor. IIcrrara married an Entrlish Lady in early yo utl1, at Cadiz, who by her suavity of m<lllll' rs makes her elf as much be. Joved and e<;tecmed bv I h ladies a~ hC'r nou]c husband |
