OF BAEON HUMBOLDT. 75 



liis entire concurrence in Humboldt's plans, and 

 granted him the rare permission to explore, 

 without any hindrance, the Spanish territories 

 of America; whilst the minister offered his 

 influence in giving effect to this permission. 

 Rejoicing at the sudden change of their pros- 

 pects, they left Madrid in the month of May, in 

 order to reach the harbour of Corunna. 



On their arrival in this harbour, a new obstacle 

 presented itself. The English had blockaded 

 it, in order to cut off the communication of 

 the mother country with her American colonies. 

 Both travellers had been furnished with letters 

 of introduction from the Spanish Secretary of 

 State to the commander of the harbour of Co- 

 runna, Don Raphael Clavigo, who endeavoured 

 to make their sojourn as agreeable as possible, 

 until the blockading English frigates should 

 clear the port. The corvette Pizarro, lying in 

 the harbour, was destined to proceed to Havana 

 and Mexico, but had been likewise detained in 

 consequence of the blockade. The officer Cla- 

 vigo advised Humboldt to embark in this cor- 

 vette, and await a favourable opportunity to 

 reach the open sea. This advice was accepted 

 by the travellers, and as they were not only very 

 anxious with regard to the safety of their 

 instruments, but wished also, if possible, to ex- 



