As our purser one night had been forcibly persuaded to empty his pockets of his spare cash, and other acts of doubtful character occurred, we are unable to applaud the conduct of the lower orders. Indeed, we were informed that the native inhabitants of Puebla Nueva, a few leagues distant from the town, were frequently in the habit of setting the authorities at defiance, and committing excesses with impunity.
The inhabitants seldom move from home, or in the town at night, unarmed. The peasantry are disarmed before entering the town, and receive their passes and receipts for arms, which are returned on repassing the boundary. This reminds me of the steamers conveying labourers from Dublin in 1836, where their shilalehs were taken from them until they landed on the pier at Liverpool.
After passing our time very agreeably, we took leave of our friends in the Venus, and on the 19th of January proceeded for Realejo, intending to touch at the Sacrificios and port of Guatulco, and determine their positions.
On the 24th of January, being off the position assigned for Sacrificios, the coast was examined closely, for any indentation which might justify our anchoring. At noon we were to the east of Guatulco, but no symptoms of a port. I therefore despatched a cutter with Lieutenant Collinson, to examine for Sacrificios, and rejoin me at anchor on
