58 INTRODUCTION. 



remaining forts, and fled in every direction ; and the standards, 

 barrack stores, military chest, &c, fell into the admiral's hands. * 



This action is perhaps one of the most daring and successful on 

 record, and done, like every thing Lord Cochrane has performed, for 

 the use of the thing, and not for the display of his own courage or 



" Sir, 



" Port of Valdivia, February 5th, 1820. 



" Resolving to profit by the advantages gained last night, by our brave officers and men, 

 1 ordered the Montezuma to pass forts Niebla and Mancera this morning, in company with 

 the brig Intrepid, and they both anchored under the guns of the Corral without other 

 danger than that from two balls which touched the Intrepid. The troops embarked im- 

 mediately in the two vessels, with the intention of entering the river, and taking possession 

 of the enemy's head-quarters in the battery del Piojo ; but we had hardly made sail, when 

 the O'Higgins hove in sight abreast of the Morro de Gonzalo at the mouth of the port, 

 and the garrison abandoned the works, flying precipitately. 



" This unexpected retreat of the enemy having caused me to change my plans, the 

 Montezuma and Intrepid were ordered to approach as near the shore as possible, and the 

 troops were landed at the Niebla, until the tide should permit the boats to convey them to 

 Valdivia. By this operation, the 100 guns of the castles, forts, and batteries of the ene- 

 mies of Liberty and Independence are turned against themselves. &c. &c. &c. 



" Cochrane." 



" Head-Quarters Valdivia, February 6th, 1820. 

 " Sir, 



" While our troops were actually embarking in the boats, to follow the garrisons which 

 had fled to Valdivia, we perceived a flag of truce coming down the river. By it we 

 learned that the enemy had abandoned the town in the greatest confusion, after rifling the 

 houses of private persons, and the public store-houses. We, at least, have the happiness 

 to know, that we have omitted nothing that might protect the people, who, distinguishing 

 between friends and oppressors, have assisted in the maintenance of good order. Those 

 who had fled from their houses are beginning to return, and I hope that the governor, 

 whom the people will name to-morrow, will secure order and tranquillity. To this end 

 I have circulated proclamations, assuring the inhabitants, that they will not be molested 

 in the slightest manner, and that the troops shall not interfere in any way, in civil matters. 

 Want of time prevents my enclosing a copy of these papers. &c. &c. &c. 



" Cochrane. 



" To Don Jose Ignacio Zenteno, Minister at War and of Marine." 



In another letter, Lord Cochrane says : — 



" At first it was my intention to have destroyed the fortifications, and to have taken the 

 artillery and stores on board ; but I could not resolve to leave without defence the safest 

 and most beautiful harbour I have seen in the Pacific, and whose fortifications must 

 doubtless have cost more than a million of dollars." 



