Chap. IX. DIFFERENT PARTIES IN NICARAGUA. 147 
who had been at the head of a band of highway robbers, 
but had some chivalrous traits in his character, was their 
instrument in attempting to effect this purpose. But when 
Samoza, who rapidly made himself master of the whole 
district of Nicaragua Proper, and occupied Rivas with his 
Indians, showed that he was about to imitate Carrera after 
the Timbucos of Nicaragua had imitated the " Serviles " 
of Guatemala, a general consternation pervaded the party 
who had stirred up the insurrection ; and they were the 
first to call on the government for protection against an 
impending general calamity. General Muiioz, at the head 
of a military force, hastened from Leon to Rivas, where, 
after a hot fight in the streets and houses, he routed the 
insurgents, who had sacked the city, and Samoza was 
taken prisoner and executed. 
This happened shortly before my arrival in Nicaragua, 
and the result had produced a general disposition to forget 
old animosities and establish the prosperity of the country 
on the basis of mutual justice and toleration. This was the 
spirit which presided over the election of the new Director 
Supremo, Mr. Pineda. It was, however, impossible, under 
existing circumstances, that the parties should keep the 
peace for any length of time. 
Amongst the prominent men of the democratic party, the 
most formidable to the Conservatives was General Munoz, 
commander-in-chief of the troops of the Republic. They 
hated him because the military force of the country was in 
his hands, which, however, he had not made use of in any 
unlawful manner — because he was in favour of innovations 
and reforms that were disliked by them, or threatened 
to curtail their interests — because he was a strong sup- 
porter of all federal tendencies, and from various other 
reasons. But the General, at the same time, had been 
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