368 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



it, and allow it a representative in Congress. He assured us, 

 that the alcaldes were so linked with the people, either by in- 

 terest, relationship, or friendship, that it was next to an impos- 

 sibility to obtain justice at their hands. From the conduct of 

 the alcalde at Guambacho, I am disposed to think his observa- 

 tion correct. 



The curate had been a chaplain in the army, both with Bo- 

 livar and General Gamarra, and seemed therefore unwilling to 

 express himself freely as to the probable result of the pending 

 election. He said that General Gamarra had been his friend, 

 and had rendered him essential services. "A man," said he, 



should wait till office seeks him, and not seek office : Gene- 

 ral Gamarra was called by the voice of the people, and now 

 the voice of the people seems to be calling on General Riva 

 Aguero, and if he succeed to the presidency, it would be use- 

 less for me, with my single arm, to oppose him because he is 

 not my friend — my duty is to obey." 



He opened the church, and took to himself great credit for 

 its cleanliness, and the improvements which he had made. The 

 church is small, very plain, and contains nothing worthy of 

 notice. The curate's house, adjoining to it, is of one story, and 

 built of adobes ; it has a ground floor, and is furnished with a 

 rough table, and a few rude high backed chairs. 



While on our visit, the worthy father received a note, and a 

 pair of large gold buckles wrapt in paper. He said that they 

 were sent with the governor's compliments, to see whether 

 one of us would not purchase them. We declined, observing 

 that they were too large for our fashions. He replied, that we 

 could not do better than purchase them, as he would dispose 

 of them cheap, and that we might sell them again in Lima to 

 great advantage I 



Nepena is a small village of ranches, built of mats and canes, 

 and about a dozen adobe houses. Its population is estimated at 

 fifteen hundred. The country around is watered by the river 

 Guambacho and its branches; Sugar, rice, and maize, are its 

 chief products. 



At one o'clock we again mounted, and returned to our boat 

 by a shorter road than that we had travelled. The boat's crew 



