PORTER S JOURNA-L.. 



197 



on parole, and had left on board a considerable sum of 

 money, as well as all his clothing and other property, and 

 his not returning at the appointed time, caused considerable 

 suspicion to us all. Another circumstance which led me 

 to suspect some treachery was a letter I had received from 

 Guyaquil, which showed the unfriendly disposition of the 

 governor of that place towards us. As the governor of 

 Tumbez was subordinate to him, I felt confident that he 

 would conform to the viev/s of his superior, unless I should 

 secure his friendship by fresh presents, which was what I 

 was by no means inclined to, while we could supply our 

 most urgent wants without his consent. 

 The letter I speak of was as follows : 



Guyaquil, 22d June, 



Captain Porter, Sir, 



I have seen the description of the four ships that are in 

 Tumbez, knowing that several merchants have seen the 

 same, and all would be willing to enter a negotiation ; but 

 it is impossible, as there is no license from the government, 

 and it is losing time to think of the same. The sooner 

 you go oil" the bettor. The bearer is at present en decla* 

 rations en government. 



Please to excuse the few words and signing of 



Your humble servant 



And well-wisher. 



The bearer of this carries a few little articles of refresh- 

 ment, and if they should wish for any little trade they are 

 confident. 



I now directed all my watering and wooding parties to 

 go armed, to be prepared for the worst that might happen, 

 and determined (if I should not hear from the purser next 

 day) to go to Tumbez with a few armed boats, to know the 

 cause of his detention. 



On the morning of the 24th we discovered three square- 

 rigged vessels standing into the bay, and as they approach- 

 ed with apparent caution, many on board conjectured them 

 to be enemies. I beUeved it to be lieutenant Downes in 

 the Georgiana, with two prizes, but directed the Atlantic 

 and Greenwich to be prepared to get under way in pursuit 

 of them, if it should prove otherwise. They continued to 



