Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-02-22

were allowed once d udy " 6oout tpS
market and provide for our men, but a guard
always attended, nor could we 7move to-
wards the door OF the house but a soldier
made his appearance. 10 the afternoon, VI
lalya, attended by the lieut.. Governor, VINO
treated US with great attention, generally
walked out with us and Showed US the city.
1t is built on the banks of tine river OF the
same name, SO miles from its mouth-the
houses are generally OF three storles-the
first story is occupied as stores, @c. the seed
Inhabited by shop keepers and mlddllng
classes of people, and the third occupied by
the rich or great folks. The reason of this
is IN order to enjoy purer air. The rooms
of the third story are spacious and airy Bal
comics are built all around the upper stories.
The houses and churches are all OF wood,
we'll finished. The ladies have fine figures
and handsome countenances, are easy land
engaging in their manners, fond OF music,
sing well, and if we may speak from our W
experience, very polite TO strangers. This Is
generally the case, or else our peculiar CIR
cumstances drew forth their sympathy sand
excited more than usual attention. Every
evening after our accustomed walk through
the city, on our return we met a small circle
of ladies assembled at capt. VS., who all en-
liyened US by Their cheerful manners and de-
licate attentions. They asked many ques'
lions about our fair country women, who,
Heaven bless them, had a Jealous advocate.
We have met a Dr.. o., Of Philadelphia,
who saws, he left the U. S. Is years ago, on
account of a duel, who did not at trst treat
us with common civility as he says tor fear
of the populace aad government, but when
the governor changed his opinion, the Dr.
endeayored to be very friendly, but our YAM
kee blood could not cool down so easily al
ter such palpable neglect.
To this country heaven has been very
bountiful, except in the rainy season, when
lasts three months they have a delightiui
climate though situated so near the line
Guayaquil beng in 2 deg. IL min. >. All
kind of tropic fruits grow here luxur'antIy'
The cocoa is here iudigenous-6ulnea pep
per, cochinei!, lumber in great quantities
indigo, sugar, &c. are hence exported. his
is the principal place for ship building en- the
western side of the continent. ! saw several
very fine vessels en- the stocks, and as cop
pei is here cheaper than iron, they are cop
per fastened, which, IN addition to their be-
mo built of durable wood, makes them last
Ing vessels.
You baye heard Of the Mangrove tree--l
will Try to describe it 10 you.--lAe STOCK OF
trunk of the tree shoots out OF the roots
which rise above the ground to the height OF
from 5 to rs feet. From he top OF the roots
il grows 80 to 40 feet before IL branches, y
then partly shoots upward, as DO almost all
trees. and partly hang pendent the whole
length of the tree, to the ground, or water, II
il be on the bank of a river--these small
pendent branches which hang perpendicular
do rot grow thicker than from ID to 2 inches
in circumference, are ofequsl thickness their
whole length, and are ~clearof leaves; TIC CO.
lor of the wood is red, and the sap makes
a color like red OGRE the tree is a beautiful
one and the perpendicular branches, when II
grows on the bank of a stream make an al
-rII
most impenetrabie thlckel.--Guayaquli
from 20 to rs, 900 inhabitants--lt
was first founded in I534;its river is ravlgable
80 miles for boats, and many streams from
different points of the compass bring their
produce 10 the city. Iii free from earth
ouakes and in general is healthy a proof OF
this is a great number Of aged persons OF
both sexes, which we saw. A gentleman,
resident there, Showed US a superb collection
of coins, of all ages and all chimes among
them was one said TO have been coined in the
time Of our Saviour, but I could not read the
inscription, it being Hebraic ; it vas very
ancient in appearance.
The celebrated Mount Chimbozazo, con-
sidered the highest land in the world, is 70
miles N. E. of Guayaquil its top covered
with eternal SHOWS makes a sublime appear
ance. We saw it but once ; the rest of the
time, it being obscured by clouds which hung
round it like rivals round a loved object.