now all shipped in four boats; the last one starts to-morrow. The owners, two fine young men of Bogota are to leave at the same time in one small covered boat; Mr. Glen, myself and Don Cato in another. At Mompo, 200 miles above this, our canoes are to be exchanged for a Champan, a sort of scow, then the two parties are to unite in one mess for the rest of the rout. I anticipate pleasure and information from the society of my fellow travelers. The names of the two Colombians are Don Puis the 5th Roxas, and Don Antonio Libre, both very gentlemanly, of the first and richest families in Bogota. The Uncle of the latter passed through this place about a month since for the same destination, accompanied by a very beautiful, fair skinned, delicate wife and three young children. They were obliged to stop for a short time at each village on the river in order to ventilate the boat; and as the tolda or covered part of it is so small they were terribly cramped for room when under headway, there was but little space in which to stretch their limbs; they were twelve days going to Mompox.

We unencumbered bachelors expect to be in Honda before June, and in Bogota before you receive this. I know your anxiety to hear often from me, therefore if an opportunity of writing occurs on the river, shall send another letter as an index of my course and progress, endeavoring always to have letters at Carthagena for the packets. I regret the irregularity and long intervals of time between their departure; that regret finds sympathy no doubt at home, for there is nothing like frequent communications to allay the pangs of absence. Of the two parties concerned in the last sage remark, those whom I love best have no cause to complain if they have received all my long letters written in such a desultory manner; but I, poor moralizer, must defer the hope of knowing how you all are, in the ancient Dutch Beaver-town, till after reaching Bogota. The fear of encountering the spring rains on the river, when the flood-gates are opened "And oft whole sheets descend of sluicy rain," was one cause for consenting to remain so long; but the rain is now over, though they have had plenty of it up stream, as appears from the rise of water; we however, had only one slight shower, the first I have seen since landing in South America. Notwithstanding the drought, this land of perennial beauty yields every thing spontaneously for the wants of man. The many varieties of fruits are astonishing-one species succeeds another throughout the year; some trees such as cocoanuts, oranges &c. are constantly bearing; the fruits are generally luscious and very delicious but as perishable as the melon which is constantly in the market; lettuce has been a standing dish at Mr. Glen's table ever since my first arrival. The thermometer has not varied three degrees from 84° in the shade during all this time, but uniformity of the climate is peculiar to every country within the tropics. Any great difference in the atmosphere is attributable to the peculiar situation of the country. Bogota though some half dozen degrees nearer the equator than Barranquilla, is about 15 or 16 degrees cooler in consequence of its elevation being 8,900 feet above the sea, a circumstance to my liking as I would prefer a little less warmth than we have at this place. I find as little difficulty in accommodating myself to the manners of the people, as I did to this warm climate, but am often obliged to smother a laugh at seeing the men embrace each other at meeting after a short separation; the manners however, shall form the subject of one epistle when I am better acquainted with the masses.

Before leaving home I had received an impression from prints, that the utmost caution was necessary to guard against the noxious and venomous serpents of the country; it is true there are scorpions, centipedes, tarentula and others, but their sting is not much more hurtful than of the bee. The Vampire too of which we have heard such dismal tales, in these localities is a small bat; it never wounds in a vital part, but dextrously nips the extremity of the sleeper's fingers and toes to banquet on his blood. My quondam fellow traveler, Diego De Castro, once afforded a bountiful supper to one of these demon bats, the orifice was quite small and he never suffered any inconvenience from his bounty. Man, proud man need never fear the sting of insects or the fangs of serpents; they all fly on his approach, even the dreaded tiger avoids him. The fears or ignorance of some travelers have exaggerated many things in relation to this quarter of the globe, which the selfish private interests of resident foreigners are prone to confirm. For my part I am all anxiety to avail myself of every opportunity to become au fait as to the productions and state of the country, it may hereafter prove of great utility. There is a singular fish called the raya, found in these waters, whose sting or bite is very poisonous; several of Mr. Glen's boatmen are now on the sick-list from wounds inflicted, by this specimen of the finny tribe, while the men were wading in the water. If the proper remedy is not applied immediately, the poor patient suffers for months before he recovers from the sting. They are avoided by keeping out of the mud. In consequence of these torments I always go out in a boat to take my bath and as a prudential measure even then apply the water from a calabash basin, and Cato ditto. Indeed I endeavor to shun all real danger, for I look upon my success in this land as a thing to be desired by all our family-if I am fortunate, the antiquated charm that binds our young men like an indigenous plant to live and die on the soil that rears them will be broken, and a new spirit of enterprise will induce many of my Dutch acquaintances to break away while young, and seek in other countries that honorable fortune which will not only give comfort to their old age, but add much to the respectability of their name. It would gratify me much to awaken that feeling in the youngsters for I still am more and more sanguine of having good grounds for attempting it; but I must acquire more experience for myself before feeling competent to direct others- however I will do my best to elevate the fortunes of the family. If I succeed in the attempt, the innate satisfaction will be a sufficient recompense for all the anxiety, trouble and deprivation that may attend the undertaking.

All foreigners who have resided here from five to ten years are rich, the greater part of them came with little or no capital; the profits on all kinds of foreign goods are so immensely large that riches must follow prudent sales. John Glen has lately paid up the last of a dead loss on a heavy speculation in Brazil wood of $80,000 and still is wealthy, while at the same time he is now making money as fast and surer than ever. The freight of his four boats will amount to over $5000, they will be home again in ten weeks; he has four others of the same size going to Honda, besides five or six smaller ones all constantly employed. His income must be immense and I very much doubt whether he can make up his mind to leave such profitable business to settle in cold Canada. He is loved, feared and respected; lives it is true in bachelor's style but fares like a nabob. I mention this simply as an instance of what judicious enterprise will effect in a land where ignorance and improvidence so gener

ally prevails. Although I am personally knowing to these facts, I do not suffer the brilliancy of any money making scheme to dazzle me. It requires time to make me competent to undertake the accomplishment in this strange clime; it is true that time may bear away the present opportunities, but I think not at all events till another generation.

I cannot of course say if an agricultural occupation would answer, but I am inclined to think not; at least in this quarter of the country a dependence on the articles of home consumption would be a futile undertaking where nature is so beautiful; perhaps the raising of cotton, indigo, rice and sugar might answer, but I hope to know more after leaving General Harrison. The General is now expecting me, he did not wish to increase the size of his family while he was a guest in another gentleman's house, but he said would put himself to any inconvenience for the sake of the son of his old friend. I think I shall like him well.

Edward goes home again in August, I may send some little nicknacks by him, he is eternally sighing for "Home, sweet home!" and is extremely sorry at having had too much pressing business on hands to permit his making up a grand tiger hunt for my especial gratification. I am sorry too, as the circumstance of having been in at the death of a tiger would have been a fine little theme for prattle in days to come. Poor Glen will miss my company very much, we have been almost constantly together, and I will often think of both him and his noble brother, when far away. Don Cato (as Dr. Van Rensselaer calls him) is making rapid progress in the Spanish language, I think one year more will give him as glib a tongue as any Castilian, he has such a fine memory. Cato is the prince of waiters here, I have often witnessed with satisfaction the superiority, he is so fond of displaying, over Mr. Glen's servants whilst attending at the table; he takes much pride in making himself useful. I myself have but little trouble in getting along in ordinary small talk. It is late but I must tell you of an incident which occurred to-day, which it will be well enough to note as an instance of the ways of the world, and as a record of the merited punishment of an overbearing nincompoop.

At Carthagena I had casually been introduced to a proud young Scotchman by name of Saunders, but he then thought a passing salute sufficient for a stranger; however some time afterwards, he came to Barranquilla to purchase cotton and fustic, for a vessel loading at Savinilla, which business detained him here some time. Immediately after his arrival, finding the place rather lonely, he called upon me, but I remembering his cavalierness or disdainful manner at Carthagena, treated him with such a degree of coldness, that he did not repeat the call, till two days previous to the time, on which he understood I intended starting. At this visit perceiving several bunches of choice cigars on my table, which I had provided for use on the river, he took up one parcel containing 50, stating that I had more than I required, and notwithstanding my strenuous protestations contrary, marched off with my property, promising at the same time to replace them the following day. That day arrived and had almost passed when no cigars appearing from Saunders, I directed Cato, that if he happened to meet the gentleman, to give him my compliments and ask for them. Cato did meet him, near night fall, and to the message received for answer, in presence of four foreigners, viz, two British sea captains and two Americans that "he should tell his master from him to go to hell." Cato returned to me, and was in the act of delivering the message, as I was then standing in front of Mr. Glen's door, when Saunders came

riding by on horse back, and supposing he had not given his very polite advice publicity enough to suit his purpose, repeated to me what he had told Cato, in the presence of Mr. Glen's clerks and servants, several gentlemen were also standing there, he then spurred on his horse before I could reply. He knew of my intention to depart tomorrow morning, and supposed the difficulty of finding him to night, would compel me to forego giving him that chastisement he deserved, and thus he would enjoy the reputation of having (without risk) insulted a Yankee!! But unfortunately for him, I learned at dinner that he was to attend a ball, in the lower part of the street. Our dinner, which we never commenced till candle light, being over, I took one of the clerks, who had heard what occurred between us, along with me and walked very leisurely down to the ball room and beckoned Saunders out to the doors. He then had the meanness to declare he had meant nothing by what he had said. But when I told him he had acted like a puppy, and that I could expect no other language than an apology from a puppy, his Scotch imflammable temper or spunk arose and he threw himself in a scientific pugilistic attitude, and boldly demanded what I meant. A slap with the flat of my hand against the chaps or mouth, gave him a hint of my meaning, and brought the whole ball room out to see the fracas; among the rest I had the satisfaction of seeing the two British Captains. In the meantime, the wary Scot was preparing to return the compliment when I gave him one of Jim Sanford's settlers on the potatoe trap, and he reeled back in the arms of one of the alcaldes or justice of peace, who came out with drawn swords at the commencement of the affray, while another alcaldi made a prisoner of me. However, Edward Glen, who had received some intimation of what was going on, happened to come along and at his opportune interference in my behalf, I was immediately released and returned home, have since heard nothing of Saunders. Yours very truly,

Gen. Sol. Van Rensselaer, Albany, N. Y.

R. VAN RENSSELAER.

Dear Father,

CHAPTER XXIII.

SOUTH AMERICAN LETTERS CONTINUED.

Rensselaer Van Rensselaer to his Father.

Mompox, May 13, 1829. In accordance with the promise made in my last from Barranquilla, I take advantage of the delay of our boats at this place to write you again. A person engaged in business is neither master of his own time or motions, he must be governed by the exigencies of the moment, and those designing to travel in company with business men must have the patience of the sainted Job to endure all the changes and postponements incident to the projected excursions. My patience has been pretty well tried, at all events by the unavoidable delays of the Glens; every detention, after the

hope of receiving letters from home at Barranquilla had vanished, was an aggravating addition to my redundant stock of disappointment, and if I had not been an old hand at stowing away that kind of luggage it might have lumbered me up too much. When however, I found myself embarked with Edward and Cato early on the morning of the 4th, after bidding adios to our Barranquilla friends and sailing up the great River Magdalena, much of that cumbersome luggage was pitched overboard. John Glen being, at the last moment detained by more urgent business at home was a disappointment and my parting with that noble minded man was not without a "tearful eye," and now as I am about leaving him, it may be proper to bestow a few words to his good name. He came to this country in 1809- some 20 years since - for a long time he acted as a clerk, in a house at Carthagena, after which he removed to Barranquilla, where he opened a commission store, receiving for his share, the pitiful allowance, half of five per cent. He was in Caraccas in 1812 when that splendid city was destroyed by an earthquake, 12,000 were killed, and he narrowly escaped the same fate. Hearing the subterraneous rumbling noise which was followed by a slight tremor and then a violent rocking, shaking or heaving of the earth, he attempted to leave the house. He soon lay crushed under a heavy door way frame from which he was extricated by his black servant, but was insensible for a long time and only with great care was restored to life and health. But perseverance, industry and economy crowned his efforts with great success, and he was blest with a moderate share of wealth, and what was more with a good reputation. He opened a correspondence with the Jamaica merchants, and greater wealth followed his increased business. But reverses occurred, and several times he lost his all, but never in his greatest distress did his credit forsake him. His island correspondents always had such implicit faith in his honor, that they never closed their books against him, on the contrary with every opportunity they were sure to forward him a fresh assortment of goods; and through them he has always been enabled to battle through every reverse. It is but lately that he paid them the last of dead losses of over $100, 000, and still he is a rich man; he never had more substantial property.

Notwithstanding his extensive business, he has been of great service to his adopted country, having been personally engaged under Gen. Montillo in campaigning against the Spaniards and royalists. He was at the taking and burning of the village of the Cienega, and at the re-capture of SantaMartha from the Spaniards. During the seige of Carthagena when the inhabitants were in the most extreme distress for want of provisions, he made a handsome fortune, by running into the port, through the Spanish blockading squadron, with a vessel laden with flour and other provisions. In one of his many adventures, he was captured and sent to Porto Bello (one of the chief towns close to the sea on the declivity of a mountain which encloses the whole anchorage, and is also called Fine Harbor) in chains, where he remained a long time. His many services have been justly rewarded by government, in the exclusive right of export from the port of Savinilla, which he enjoyed for some time. He now owns some six or eight of the very finest and largest transportation boats on the Magdalena, and his "bogas," or boatmen enjoy the best reputation of any on the river. He employs about 100 bogas; the most of whom are heads of families; when he first came here, they were a wild, uncivilized set, with little or no care, or consideration about them, scarcely having a hut to shelter them. However by his upright example and advice this worthy