H. M. S. BLONDE. 



119 



29th. — The Peru being prevented from sail- 

 ing, and no other vessel bound to Payta^ I am 

 still unable to leave Callao ; but, with the ex- 

 ception of the danger of delaying my journey, 

 on account of the setting in of the wet season 

 on the isthmus, I have nothing to regret, for I 

 cannot be more comfortable, nor receive greater 

 hospitality and kindness any where, than as the 

 guest of Captain Mason. Though the English 

 and French squadrons have not recognised the 

 usurper^s blockades, which the North American 

 commodore and consul-general have thought 

 proper to do, an interchange of civilities has not 

 been refused on either side ; and in proof of it, 

 the commodore took me with him to-day, to 

 visit Senora Salaverry and her daughters, the 

 mother and sisters of the self-elected chief. 

 They are living at the fort, where they received 

 us very graciously. One of the daughters 



