136 



PAYTAi 



On arriving at the town from the brig, I 

 found several foreign merchants anxiously- 

 waiting my landing, and, amongst them was 

 Mr. Girdon, of the United States, to whom the 

 North American consul at Lima had given me 

 a letter of introduction, and who pressed me with 

 great kindness to be his guest. There is no Bri- 

 tish consul at Payta. We walked together to 

 the house of Mr. Higginson, a gentleman who 

 represents the interests of the United States. 

 I was followed there by all the authorities of 

 the place, who assembled at his house, eager to 

 hear my story; which I was obliged to tell 



the president, and return to their allegiance, which de- 

 ceived Obrigozo's party so completely, that a deputation 

 was sent to take formal possession of these ships, accord- 

 ing to the plan proposed by the commanders. On the 

 arrival of the deputation, instead of fulfilling the engage- 

 ment, they seized the individuals composing it, and sent 

 them to Callao, where they were shot. 



