284 ARREST OF ERRERO. 



repeatedly made, that a few years of a bad ad- 

 ministration are sufficient to undo all that a 

 good one may have effected by a long series of 

 exertions. Eight years ago, when Medenilla 

 was governor, the most perfect content, and 

 prosperity to a certain extent, existed in Gua- 

 ham ; and now, by the fault of one man. every 

 thing bears a totally different aspect. So much 

 depends on the choice of the person to whom 

 power is delegated, at such a distance from the 

 seat of sovereignty as that the complaints of 

 the oppressed can seldom reach it. Errero is 

 even accused of the murder of some English 

 and American sailors ; and, on this occasion, 

 Spanish justice has not been in vain appealed 

 to by their comrades ; for, as I afterwards learn- 

 ed, the order for Errero's arrest was already 

 made out at the moment when, in perfect self- 

 confidence and enjoyment, he was entertaining 

 me with lively songs, accompanied by himself 

 on the guitar ; and Medenilla has been again 

 appointed to the command, that he may endea- 

 vour to repair the evils Errero had occasioned. 

 Of my earlier acquaintances, I now met only 

 the estimable Don Louis de Torres, the friend 



