SOUTH AMERICA. 



183 



hurt^ and insisted on making an apology with his own 

 hand, which was actually done. He ordered the guards 

 to be imprisoned, and oifered to have them punished; 

 but Mr. Sumpter, whose ideas of justice were some- 

 what different, requested this might not be. The 

 other foreign ministers offered to join Mr. Sumpter in 

 a remonstrance, but the object was already gained, as 

 the new order extended to all. 



Mr. Sumpter entertained a favorable opinion of the 

 king as to his liberality and good intentions; but 

 thought him much at the mercy of his ministers,* He 

 is fond of seeing strangers, and there is no great diffi- 

 culty in being presented. It is usual for commanders of 

 ships of war touching at this place, to go through this 

 ceremony. Commodore Sinclair according to custom 

 was presented by our minister, at the country palace a 

 few miles from town. He describes him as rather 

 below the middle size, enormously fat, of very dark 

 complexion, large black eyes with a good natured face. 

 He was in a military dress, spoke in French to Mr. 

 Sumpter, and asked the commodore a great many 

 questions respecting his profession and country. He 

 professed a great respect for the government of the 

 United States, and declared himself extremely desi- 



*The author of the Picture of Lisbon, (Murphy) gives the fol- 

 lowing character of him at twenty-five years of age. "He is natu- 

 rally of a good disposition, but young. Experience has not yet 

 enlightened his understanding, or fortified his courage. He is 

 timid, and his ministers make him pusillaminous; he wishes to 

 know every thing, and his ministers conceal every thing from him; 

 he wants to govern, and his ministers keep him aloof from the go- 

 vernment; he fancies that he reigns, and he only lends his name to 

 the ministers who reign over him." 



