132 TERMINATION OF 
fice of feeling. Moreover, being in duress, 
no forced concession would, of course, be 
obligatory upon me after [ resumed my 
liberty. Again, I felt no very great inclina- 
tion to sue for redress where there was so 
little prospect of procuring anything. I might 
certainly have represented the matter to ties 
Mexican government, and even have obtained 
perhaps the acknowledgment of my claims 
against Chihuahua for damages; but the pay- 
ment would have been extremely doubtful. 
As to our own Government, I had too much 
experience to rely fora moment upon her in- 
terposition. 
During the progress of these transactions, I 
strove to ascertain the character of the charges 
made against me; but in vain. All I knew 
was, that I had offended a rico, and had been 
summoned back to Chihuahua at his instance; 
yet whether for ‘high treason,’ for an attempt 
at robbery, or for contempt to his sejoria, I 
knew not. It is not unusual, however, in that 
‘land of liberty,’ for a person to be arrrested 
and even confined for weeks without know- 
ing the cause. The writ of Habeas C 
appears unknown in the judicial tribunals of 
Northern Mexico. 
Upon the receipt of my petition, the Gov- 
ernor immediately issued the following de- 
cree, which I translate for the benefit of the 
reader, as being not a bad specimen of Mexi- 
can grand eloquence: 
In consideration of the memorial which you have this 
ny diedehe eMtintinauea Damme aie ¥,. 
