120 



PERU. 



feared, possessed at this critical season no very 

 great authority ; and as the military partook 

 deeply of the wild opinions of the people, their 

 subordination, especially in a popular point like 

 this, could not be relied on. I saw, too, with 

 much regret, that whatever might be the issue of 

 this affair, all chance of our remaining afterwards 

 on any good understanding with the Spaniards 

 was gone. 



On reaching Callao, I rode slowly through the 

 streets, which were filled with people, over whose 

 countenances hung a scowl that spoke any thing 

 but civility or welcome ; there was also some lit* 

 tie murmuring, and an occasional appearance of 

 surprise at my presence : — ^but no violence or in- 

 sult of any kind was offered to me. 



The Spaniards are so devoted to form, that my 

 order for admission to the prisoners was required 

 to pass through innumerable hands before I was 

 permitted to look at them ; and then I was not 

 allowed to speak a word. This done, the prison 

 doors were again locked, and I returned to Lima 

 to make an official application to the Government 

 for the individuals who had been arrested, and 



