ELECTIONEERING. 



121 



cipal port of Quito, which at that time was in pos- 

 session of the Spaniards, who, however, were pre- 

 vented from sending troops to re-establish their 

 authority, as their whole attention was then occu- 

 pied in trying to repel the Patriots under Bolivar. 

 He, on the other hand, had not troops to spare 

 to bring Guayaquil under his authority. The 

 only other power that could have interfered with 

 them was the Peruvian government under San 

 Martin ; but he had enough on his hands al- 

 ready ; so that, in the general bustle, Guayaquil 

 was allowed to carry its Independent flag, and 

 call itself a separate state unmolested. All the 

 reflecting persons in the town, however, saw that 

 it was utterly impossible to maintain such a po- 

 sition, and that, sooner or later, they must fall 

 under one or other of the great powers, Colombia 

 or Peru. The inhabitants were nearly divided 

 on this subject ; and, contemptible as the discus- 

 sion was, more violent party-spirit was never dis- 

 played. A constant war of words was maintained, 

 for no swords were drawn : distinguishing badges 

 were worn by the different parties ; and each bawl- 

 ed out in the streets, or from their windows, the 

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