Page:Our Sister Republic - Mexico.djvu/530

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VOYAGE FROM VERA CRUZ TO YUCATAN.

erous minds can justly appreciate. I was not slow in perceiving that it was that delicacy which was the motive for your commission to meet me at Guadalajara, and attend me to the hour of embarkation. I am unable to express the deep sense I feel for cares and attentions, which have not merely saved me from every danger and discomfort, but which have made the journey of my family and friends, a constant instruction and continual pleasure. I pray you to accept my most grateful acknowledgments, with affectionate wishes for your continued welfare and the health and happiness of your children. You will hear from me, my dear Mr. Bossero, on my arrival at New York, and I shall hope on that occasion, that I am not forgotten by you. I am, my Dear Sir, very truly your friend.

WILLIAM H. SEWARD.

At 4 p. m. on Tuesday, January 11th., 1870, we were all on board the Cleopatra, and she was steaming out of the harbor of Vera Cruz, past the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and the great coral reefs beyond it, into the Gulf of Mexico. At sunset, all on board subject to seasickness, were down with it; the writer among the number, of course. All next day we were out of sight of land with a rough sea. The morning of the 13th dawning clear and beautiful, revealed to us the low sandy shores of Yucatan along the southern horizon, and at noon we came to anchor off Sisal, in the open roadstead which serves for a harbor, save in case of a norther blowing, when there is no harbor at all.

The sea being rough Mr. Seward decided not to go on shore, though he was strongly tempted to do so and spend the next twenty days in visiting the ancient Spanish city of Merida, the mysterious ruins of Palenque, the logwood forests of Campeche, and other points of interest on the peninsula.