Murray, whose history is a curious instance of the unexpected turns which a man's fate may take in life, without his own free agency being at all consulted. He was taken prisoner at the siege of Gibraltar, as a midshipman in the British service, and conveyed by the vessel which captured him direct to Lima, where, according to the usual policy of the Spanish Colonial Government, he was kindly treated, but desired to give up all idea of ever seeing Europe again. Being very young, he changed his religion, and finding escape impossible, he worked his way in the Spanish service, until being transferred from Peru to Mexico, he obtained his present situation, which he has held since 1812. He is much respected, and in very comfortable circumstances: of his former connexions he knows nothing, and he has so nearly forgotten his native language, that he thinks it useless to institute inquiries which might bewilder and perplex him, without adding in any way to his prospects of enjoyment during the remainder of his life.
We remained at Guadalajara from the 3d to the 7th of January, during the whole of which time we met with every sort of civility and kindness from the authorities, as well as the principal inhabitants of the place. The Gefe Politico, Don Francisco Duque, and Don Joaquin Parres, the military Commandant, furnished me with a great deal of useful information, as did Don Antonio Gutierrez y Ulloa, a most intelligent and gentlemanlike Spaniard, for many
