[XXIV-34] MacGregor had probably never read the adventures of Vasco Nuñez de Balboa.
[XXIV-35] Weatherhead, Darien, 43, says that Spanish officers in disguise fearlessly walked the streets, and entered the fort to drink with the men. They had passports issued by the former alcalde, who had returned after the occupation of the city, and in whom MacGregor foolishly placed confidence.
[XXIV-36] Such is Weatherhead's version. Darien, 57-62. Hore denied having agreed to the capitulation, adding that he regarded the men as bandits; and had demanded their surrender at discretion. Restrepo, giving no credence to Hore's assertion, declares his proceeding 'accion vil, digna de los jefes españoles de América.' Arosemena says: 'Bajo capitulacion, ó sin ella, pues esto no es del todo conocido, se sindieron.' Apunt., 38-9. Santa Cruz, who was made governor of Portobello, shortly after Hore went to Panamá captured two vessels which had on board about 100 men brought from England to reinforce MacGregor; but it is unknown what became of the prisoners. Restrepo, Hist. Col., vii. 173-4, 176.
[XXIV-37] 'Terminó por la ineptitud del gefe esta espedicion que hizo mucho ruido,' observes Restrepo, Hist. Col., vii. 175. Weatherhead, Darien, 63-7, though admitting the general's incompetency, tries to apologize for his behavior.
[XXIV-38] This was pursuant to general orders from the king. The same treatment was to be awarded to persons captured under similar circumstances, 'sin dar cuenta, ni consultar á esta superioridad hasta despues de haberlo verificado.' Doc., in Restrepo, Hist. Col., x. 190.
[XXIV-39] Weatherhead, Darien, 96, speaks of 14, while Restrepo, Hist. Col., vii. 177-8, mentions only 10.
[XXIV-40] Restrepo says that only 40 had survived, while Weatherhead gives the figures as in the text. I have in most cases preferred to follow the latter authority in his An Account of the Late Expedition against the Isthmus of Darien, London, 1821, pp. 134, map, by W. D. Weatherhead, as the work was written under the fresh impression of the events described, and by one whose position and participation in the expedition as a surgeon enabled him to obtain the most reliable information. This is furnished, together with such other historical data as the author, by means of slight investigation, could procure in addition to the narrative of the expedition and descriptions of different places on the Isthmus. Appended is professional information on diseases, climates, and state of medical science in the province of Tierra Firme.
[XXIV-41] The constitution of the Spanish monarchy was published on the Isthmus about May 1821. Its publication in Alange took place in that month. Pan., Doc. Hist., in Pan., Col. Doc., MS., no. 36, fol. 26.
[XXIV-42] Alcaldes—Luis Laso de la Vega, and Mariano Arosemena. Regidores—Manuel de Arce Delgado, Juan Manuel Berguido, Pedro Jimenez, Cárlos Icaza, Juan José Calvo, Remigio Laso, José Pablo Jimenez, and Tadeo Perez. Secretary—Manuel Maria Ayala. Arosemena, Apunt., 41-2.
[XXIV-43] He died July 8, 1820. Arosemena, Apunt., 42, places the death in Aug. Another trouble was his inability to pay the soldiers, who clamored for their dues. Weatherhead's Darien, 116-17.