108 OFFICIAL DIFFERENCES. [1846 



of stone and mortar were in the course of erection. At 

 present, all was hut work, and in a very miserable kind 

 of barn I was told that I might Jind the Comandante. 

 This was all the military reception. After some delay and 

 knocking, a subaltern presented himself, who was exces- 

 sively civil, apologized for want of ceremony, and informed 

 me that the Comandante was dangerously ill with fever ; 

 and from my observation of himself and another, emerging 

 from a deal inclosure near us, added to the steam and 

 oppressive feeling resulting from the effluvia of the 

 surrounding burning ruins of the monarchs of the forest, 

 I thought it highly probable that my present friends 

 might soon be added to the hospital list. 



Having produced the letter from Colonel Figueroa, 

 and the Governor General, enjoining attention and as- 

 sistance, the Commanding Officer instantly assured me 

 of every assistance within his command, and in pursu- 

 ance of the wish expressed in the Colonel's letter, de- 

 spatched a soldier requesting the presence of the Officer 

 of the Gun-boat. Upon his arrival he was informed of 

 the message from the Governor, indeed, read the letter. 

 The question of military jurisdiction was immediately 

 raised, with the distinct assertion that he could not obey 

 the order. The military Officer endeavoured to assure 

 him that it was merely the wish expressed by Colonel 

 Figueroa, but in vain. In order to be quickly relieved from 

 the very unpleasant predicament in which I found myself 

 placed by these unpleasant jarrings, and which began to 

 wax very warm between the parties, I felt it my duty to 

 stop further discussion by informing the naval man, " that 

 I entirely declined any assistance from his department, 



