SCHOMBURGKIANA. 149 



I have been on the best understanding with the authori- 

 ties at St. Joaquim, even with SEAL, whose shrewdness 

 and cunning must be fully acknowledged; politeness is a 

 cheap kind and I pay him in compliments, which he 

 returns in flowery speeches and sentiments. 



As the boats for transporting the detachment to 

 Demerara arrived yesterday at the portage, I have no 

 opportunity to communicate to you the result of my inter- 

 view with the Brazilian Commissioner. Since I have no 

 orders regarding him, I shall be all ears to hear, but 

 have no tongue to speak. 



I purpose starting next Monday for Roraima, and 

 we are making every preparation for it. You will ob- 

 serve from my letter to the Governor, that I have every 

 inclination for finishing the survey, I cannot do more than 

 what I have said in my letter, and must leave the rest to 

 the recommendation of the Governor. 



It is truly a hardship that our half-salary is still with- 

 held. You can have no idea of the deprivations of the 

 life in the interior, and Messrs. Brigham, Wieberg, &c., 

 will give you a touching account of it. Now if you con- 

 sider that they were stationery and we en route^ draw the 

 inference, and you will confess that ours is a thankless 

 business. 



I take the liberty to enclose a note to Mrs. LIGHT, 

 which I beg you to deliver ; a box of curiosities for Miss 

 Light accompanies it. 



You will receive a small package with a hammock, 

 from the Brazils, which I hope you will accept as a proof 

 of my friendship and gratitude. 



Take it with you upon your trips up the Essequibo ; it is 

 just such a one as is easily slung between tree and tree. 



