70 INTRODUCTION. 



by simply appearing on the coast he could frighten the viceroy into 

 submission, and that by harassing the petty villages along the shore, 

 he could possess himself of the castles of Callao. However, on the 

 28th, as we have seen, he embarked ; on the 29th, the fleet anchored 

 in the bay of Callao, and having gratified his curiosity by a sight of 

 the castles, and the naval forces, the captain-general proceeded on 

 the 30th to Ancon, where he remained with the troops on board 

 the transports for ten days. Meantime, on the 2d of November, 

 the regiment of Numancia deserted the Spaniards and joined the 

 patriots. 



While the army was thus inactive, Lord Cochrane had been dili- 

 gently employed in reconnoitring Callao, having formed the design 

 of seizing the frigate Esmeralda, of 40 guns, -which then lay in 

 the bay under protection of the castles. Besides 300 pieces of artil- 

 lery on shore, she was defended by a strong boom and chain-moor- 

 ings ; several tiers of old ships, armed as block-ships, guarded her ; 

 she was surrounded by 27 gun-boats of different sizes ; and the 

 enemy, dreading, lest she should be attacked, had supplied her and 

 the block-ships with additional men, so that she had about 370 on 

 board of the best sailors and marines that could be procured, and 

 they had slept at quarters for six weeks. On the fifth of November, 

 the purpose for which the necessary preparations for the enterprise 

 had been made was first communicated to the officers and ships' 

 companies ; when the following address was read to them : — 



" Marines and seamen ! 



" This night we are going to give the enemy a mortal blow: 

 " to-morrow you 'will present yourselves proudly before Callao, and 

 " your companions will look on you with envy. One hour of cou- 

 " rage and resolution is all that you require in order to triumph. 

 " Remember, that you are the conquerors of Valdivia : and do not 

 " fear those who are accustomed to fly from you on all sides. 



" The value of all the ships taken in Callao will be yours ; and 

 " besides, the same sum will be distributed among you, that has 



