TOBACCO. 



497 



the ague, was taken from his prison by one 

 of its inhabitants (Jos6 Alvarez), pledging 

 his life and property as security for his 

 safety, in order that he might recover his 

 health; and that this was granted by the 

 inexorable tyrant, General Melchor Ayme- 

 ric, only with the hope of having an excuse 

 for taking away the life and considerable 

 property of this virtuous and patriotic in- 

 dividual ; but being disappointed, the pri- 

 soner was again sent back to his dungeon, 

 and effected his escape by the assistance of 

 Vincente Aguire (another noble example of 

 patriotic virtue), who had furnished upwards 

 of two hundred persons besides with the 

 means of flight. 



In 1819, tobacco was the greatest luxury 

 which the British could procure, and this at 

 an enormous sacrifice of their clothes, as it 

 was very scarce, and could not be had for 

 money ; the possessors saying they could 

 neither eat nor wear silver or gold. The 



VOL. I. 2 k 



