226 Mr. J. Miers on the Histouj of the ' Mate' Plant. 



would place his country for the future in greater security ; and 

 in these measures Bonpland became deeply concerned. 



This celebrated botanist Doctor Francia suspected of being 

 in concert with General Ramirez, knowing also that he had 

 previously been the friend of General Artigas. Francia was 

 well informed of all the combinations making against him ; and 

 his conviction that Bonpland was implicated in these measures 

 appears to have been heightened by the formal application which 

 the latter made to him, about this period, to be allowed to enter 

 into commercial relations with Itapuan, on the opposite coast of 

 Paraguay, presenting at the same time, in earnest of his inten- 

 tions, a contract he had formed with an Indian cacique for the 

 purpose in view. Had Bonpland abstained from meddling with 

 political questions, it is probable he would never have been dis- 

 turbed ; but after Ramirez had given up his intended invasion, 

 Francia availed himself of the opportunity by sending a force of 

 400 men across the Parana to Candelaria, near the place of 

 Bonpland's residence, to destroy that post, which he considered 

 to be the nucleus whence hostile demonstrations might at any 

 future period be formed against his country : he likewise ordered 

 them to make prisoners of certain persons, among whom was 

 the former companion of Humboldt. These instructions were 

 implicitly carried into effect, and Bonpland was conveyed a pri- 

 soner to Assuncion. The Dictator received him with every 

 demonstration of respect and kindness, explaining the motives 

 which justified him in the course he had taken, and offered him 

 any place he might select in the interior, as he had previously 

 done to Artigas. Bonpland chose to fix himself at Santa Maria, 

 to the S.E. of Assuncion, where he enjoyed full liberty, and was 

 subject to no other restraint than the obligation of remaining 

 peaceably in its neighbourhood. Here he settled upon the farm 

 assigned to him, and practised also as a physician. He appears 

 to have lived there in great contentment for ten years, at the 

 end of which time he received from Francia full liberty to de- 

 part whenever he pleased. The best proof that Bonpland was 

 satisfied with the treatment he received, is that he never protested 

 against his captivity, and that he refused (I believe, for a period 

 of two years) to avail himself of the liberty given to him ; and 

 it is certain that he then declined the many pressing invitations 

 from Buenos Ayres, sent to him by the foreign ambassadors and 

 other distinguished persons, who had greatly interested them- 

 selves in his welfare. At length he made a visit to the River 

 Plate, but remained there only a very short time, for he soon 

 returned to the Missions, and finally established himself on his 

 former estate of S. Anna de la Restauracion, not far from 

 Candelaria in Coi*rientes, bordering upon Paraguay, where he 

 lived, much respected by all, till his death in 1858. 



