GENERAL FREIRE. refi 
former visit to Conception, the then Governor 
had appointed for my accommodation. At that 
time many discontented spirits had already 
shown themselves, had assumed the appellation 
of patriots, and were persecuted by the Govern- 
ment; Mendiburu was one of these, and having 
made his escape, the Government, till its over- 
throw, had kept possession of his house. 
My complaisant host, a little man, rather 
advanced in years, who in many respects was 
extremely useful to us, accompanied us, as soon 
as we had arranged our dress, to the President 
Freire. The latter received us in the full uni- 
form of a general officer, with the most cere- 
monious politeness, but still kindly, although 
something of distrust might be perceived in his 
deportment. 
Our circumstances with respect to Spain were 
known; and, as I afterwards learned, it was 
absurdly enough imagined, that Russia had 
designs upon Chili, and that these formed the 
secret motive of our visit. Freire, who had ai- 
ready distinguished himself as a general, is a 
stately-looking man, at that time about forty- 
five years of age, and of a very agreeable exte- 
ES 
