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 1837.] The Sulphur, on arriving, had ascertained the state of affairs, and finding it probable that they would not immediately be settled, her commander had deemed it prudent to avoid any chance of collision with any of the braggadocios, (who volunteered to capture her if necessary,) and therefore fixed on the island of Taboga, about twelve miles distant, where he had fixed his observatory.

As it became important that the distances should be measured from Panama, from whence the rockets might be seen, and as all our western operations were to hinge on this position, the Sulphur was ordered to repair to Panama, and the observatory was erected on the N.E. angle of the fortifications.

Instructions, in reply to notes forwarded to our various consuls from the foreign office, had already reached from Bogota, directing the several authorities to afford me every facility; and I now found that no impediment would have been offered, even had I arrived in the midst of the blockade. The instructions to the commandant at Chagres warranted this, and the facilities offered by the authorities at Panama fully evinced their disposition to second the views of the governor of Bogota. I.