CHAPTER XVI.
PLEA OF JUST CONSIDERATION AND MISTAKEN CONSTANCY OF THE LAWS.
THE consul's office opened at nine o'clock,--the Captain, with his
register-case and shipping papers under his arm, presented himself
to Mr. Mathew, handed him his papers, and reported his condition.
That gentleman immediately set about rendering every facility to
relieve his immediate wants and further his business. The consul was
a man of plain, unassuming manners, frank in his expressions, and
strongly imbued with a sense of his rights, and the faith of his
Government,--willing to take an active part in obtaining justice,
and, a deadly opponent to wrong, regardless of the active hostility
that surrounded him. After relating the incidents of his voyage, and
the circumstances connected with Manuel's being dragged to
prison,--"Can it be possible that the law is to be carried to such
an extreme?" said he, giving vent to his feelings.
"Your people seem to have a strange manner of exhibiting their
hospitality," said the Captain, in reply.
"That is true; but it will not do to appeal to the officials." Thus
saying, the consul prepared the certificate, and putting on his hat,
repaired to the jail. Here he questioned Manuel upon the
circumstances of his arrest, his birthplace, and several other
things.
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