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 
