THE SENATE. 77 



transmitting the account of the recognition 

 of Colombian independence by this country, 

 which will, if possible, bind the two nations 

 more closely together than they are even at 

 present. 



The senate is deprived of the abilities of 

 two of its most eloquent members, Los Se- 

 nores Gual and Castillos, who, being ap- 

 pointed ministers of state, cannot take their 

 seats in the senate, it being contrary to the 

 laws of the constitution. Occasionally, when 

 the executive wish to communicate with the 

 congress, or the congress wish to ask ques- 

 tions of the executive, these ministers have 

 to attend, according as the subject is con- 

 nected with foreign affairs, or finance. 



During my stay, Senor Gual had to speak 

 on two subjects, emanating from the execu- 

 tive, both of which he handled particularly 

 well, and obtained the points he contended 



