INTRODUCTION. 47 



aware of it, was to be carried into execution : the boats were sent into 

 the harbour first with a fire-ship, and the large ships were to follow, 

 cover, and support them ; but, by some inexplicable fatality, none but 

 the O'Higgins joined, and thus the scheme was rendered nugatory. 

 By this time the squadron was in want of water and other necessaries, 

 and therefore on the 25th it sailed to Huaura to procure them. 

 Here, after two days' amicable intercourse with the natives, the 

 officers suddenly found the water refused, and the people forbidden 

 to bring them provisions ; upon which a party was landed from the 

 ships, which marched to the little towns of Huacho and Huaura, and 

 took them on the 30th without difficulty, thereby securing a good 

 watering place and market for provisions. While the squadron was 

 at Huaura, Admiral Blanco arrived there in the Galvarino. This 

 officer hoisted his flag on board the San Martin as second in com- 

 mand, and shortly afterwards sailed to join the cruising squadron 

 and maintain the blockade of Callao. 



From the information received on the coast, Lord Cochrane found 

 that several neutral vessels were in the different little ports embark- 

 ing Spanish property ; on which he ran along the coast with some 

 of the vessels, and parties were landed to take possession of the small 

 towns, the inhabitants being not unwilling to be taken. At Patavilca 

 a considerable prize was made, in money (about 67,000 dollars) and 

 provisions, sugars and spirits. At Guambacho 60,000 dollars were 

 taken out of a brig, which was smuggling them on board. AtSupe 

 his lordship disembarked the marines, who intercepted about 120,000 

 dollars under an escort of Spanish infantry. The money was claimed 

 as private property by a Mr. Smith, an American ; but as it was 

 under a government escort, it was sent on board the O'Higgins ; and 

 it afterwards appeared that it was to have been embarked at 

 Guarmey, in the American 'schooner, Macedonia, in the names 

 of Abadea and Blanco, the agents for the Philippine Company. 

 The American, Smith, was so enraged at the capture of the money, 

 that in the cabin of the O'Higgins he pulled out a pistol and pre- 

 sented it at the head of Lord Cochrane, who put it aside with his 



