Page:Mexico in 1827 Vol 2.djvu/275

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MEXICO IN 1827.
259

description of the heat, the privations, and the annoyances from insects of all kinds, which must be endured during the six weeks' confinement on board one of the long river-boats, in which the voyage to Honda is performed, before you commence the ascent to Bŏgŏtā, it seems evident that a new æra in Diplomacy must be dated from the opening of our communications with the New World. It was, hitherto, thought rather an easy, luxurious sort of métier; but a Diplomatist in America requires stamina as well as head, and must have a talent for undergoing a good deal of very rough work, as well as for managing a delicate negotiation. Colonel Campbell was blessed with a frame of iron, and performed, for the second time, in perfect safety, what many would have found an arduous task; but one of the gentlemen who accompanied him, (Mr. Wood,) has since died a victim to the climate, on a journey to Qūitŏ, from Gūāyăquīl, at which place he resided as Consul for about a year.

From Carthagena we made no land until we saw the Island of Pines, (off the coast of Cuba,) Captain Roberts having kept to the Southward of the Pedro shoals in order to avoid Port Royal. Few ships sailing under Admiralty Orders like coming too near to an Admiral's Flag, particularly on a rich and unhealthy station, where there is a possibility of being detained, and a certainty of being obliged to pay tithes upon whatever freight may be procured for Europe. On the 5th of March we made Cape