ACROSS THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 297 



cover during my residence of two months in Chili. I was so 

 fortunate as to meet here a gentleman from Philadelphia, Doctor 

 Thomas S. Page, by whom I was assiduously attended, and to 

 whose skilful and judicious treatment I consider myself indebted 

 for my recovery. I also received much kindness from Captain 

 E. L. Scott and his estimable lady, as well as from a number of 

 the foreign residents and British naval officers in the port. 



The political affairs of the country, and the events to which 

 certain important and recently adopted measures have given 

 rise, are worthy a slight notice. 



An expedition is about being fitted out by this country against 

 her sister, Peru. All the men of war belonging to her navy are 

 to be brought into service, and before many weeks there will be 

 bloody work on the shores of South America. 



The Chilians have a large and efficient navy, commanded 

 chiefly by foreign adventurers, English and Americans. Peru 

 has also some officers of the same stamp, and thus brother will 

 war against brother ; and for what .' For " filthy lucre," and 

 bloody laurels, worthy to decorate the brow of the first mur- 

 derer. 



'• See from his native liills afar, 

 The rude Helvetian flies to war: — 

 Careless for what — for whom he fights ; — 

 For slaves or despots — ivrongs or rights : — 

 A conqueror oft — a hero never.' 

 Yet lavish of his life-blood still. 

 As if 'twere like his mountain rill. 



And gushed for ever '." 



The reasons assigned by the Chilians for the necessity of the 

 contemplated invasion, are manifold. They complain of aggres- 

 sions and spoliations upon their subjects and commerce, ill treat- 

 ment of their envoys, &c. ; and some time since, a private citizen 



of Callao, upon his own responsibility, and with his own re- 



38 



