44 INTRODUCTION. 
Cochrane’s flag-ship, commanded by Captain Forster, the Lautaro ; 
Captain Guise; the San Martin, Captain Wilkinson ; and the Chaca- 
buco, Captain Carter.* These ships sailed from Valparaiso under 
Lord Cochrane’s command, on the 15th of January. Most anxiously 
did the people of Chile look upon this expedition. It was the first 
time they had dared to attack the enemy in his own strong-hold. 
Callao had always been deemed inexpugnable, and the ships of 
Spain had been accustomed to consider it as an inviolable sanctuary. 
Now the Chilenos saw their ships sailing to attack it, and a feeling ~ 
of dread at the daring mingled with their hopes. Their own port 
had been blockaded but a few months before, and all their wishes had 
then been confined to being freed from the enemy’s ships. But 
they had changed situations ; theirs was now to be the inviolable port, 
and their ships were to attack the strong-hold of the enemy. 
No wonder that every report was eagerly listened to, and that a 
stranger sail giving flattering news of their squadron was eagerly 
received ; at length, however, true despatches arrived, and they were 
published in a series of extraordinary gazettes, as the most important 
documents that had ever reached Chile. The fleet had been prin- 
cipally manned with natives, many of whom were wild from the 
mountains: the whole squadron might have on board 300 foreign 
seamen, including officers; so that there was ground for anxiety on 
more than one account concerning the expedition. But the very 
first trial was sufficient to prove that the navy of Chile would in a 
short time have the dominion of the Pacific. 
The squadron had fallen in with several vessels; and from the 
information obtained from them, the admiral had determined to 
cruize off Lima until the 21st of February, to intercept the San An- 
tonio, which was bound for Cadiz with a considerable treasure on 
board; and then, on the 23d, the last day of the Carnival, to run into 
the bay with the Lautaro; and attack the ships and forts during the 
confusion usually occasioned by that festival. + The San Martin 
* ‘There were also the Galvarino, Araucano, and Pueyrredon. 
+ The reason (said to be so by some) for running in with only two ships, and those 
