The welcome he
received there was something tremendous. It was estimated that one
hundred thousand people were out to see him land. Just before going
ashore, a steam launch put out to him with dispatches of
congratulations from the King of Spain and his Minister of Marine. A
company of horse guards took charge of him and escorted him to a
hotel. The usual banquets and entertainments followed this winding up of
one of the hardest voyages he ever made.
The fact that the Tagus had been navigated, created a profound sensation
throughout Spain and Portugal, and Boyton was kept busy acknowledging
telegrams of congratulation. The governor of Toledo sent the Spanish
consul at Lisbon a telegram which, translated, read as follows:
"I beg you to heartily congratulate Captain Boyton in my behalf for the
happy termination of his difficult voyage on the river Tagus, which has
once more shown his intelligence and courage."
"Before leaving Madrid to begin the journey," remarked Paul to an
American friend, "the foreign colony warned me not only of the dangers
of the Tagus, but also against the people along the river, who were wild
and ignorant, and would kill me. On the contrary I found them
kind, hospitable and generous, both in Spain and Portugal.
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