INTRODUCTION. 61 
destroyed by us, that there is safe anchorage, and that Chiloe is at 
the mercy of 500 men, whenever it shall please the government of 
Chile to incorporate it with the cause of liberty and independence. 
“ All the troops behaved with the greatest bravery ; our loss con- 
sists of four killed and ten wounded. May God keep you many 
years. “ CocHRANE.” 
“ Chiloe, Feb. 19. 1820. 
On Lord Cochrane’s return to Valdivia, he furnished what arms 
he could to the people of the neighbourhood, to assist in driving out 
the enemy, and despatched Beauchef to Osorio with 100 men to 
secure that town, which commands one source of the supplies of 
Chiloe. Beauchef and his little troop were received by all the 
Indians both in the country and at Osorio with the greatest joy. 
“ [ believe,” says that officer, in his official letter addressed to Lord 
Cochrane, “ that I have embraced more than a thousand caciques 
“ and their followers. They have all offered their people to serve 
“ in the patriotic cause; but as circumstances do not require this, 
‘* T have invited them to return to their own lands, and have received 
“ their promises to be ready if the country should call for their ser- 
“ vices. I have distributed to each on taking leave, a little indigo, 
“ tobacco, ribbon, and other trifles.” The flag of Chile was hoisted 
on the castle of Osorio on the 26th of February; some cannon, 
forty muskets, and ammunition were found there, but no resistance 
was made, the Spaniards having escaped to Chiloe. 
Meantime, in consequence of the damage sustained by the O’Hig- 
gins when she struck at Quiriquina, she was disabled from going to 
sea, and was therefore hove down at Valdivia to be repaired, while 
the admiral returned to Valparaiso in the Montezuma. Upon his 
departure, some feeble efforts were made by the dispersed Spaniards 
to repossess themselves of Valdivia, and to induce the Indians to fall 
upon Beauchef: but that brave officer speedily put an end to the 
struggle, and placing sufficient guards in Osorio and other posts, 
fixed his own head-quarters at Valdivia. 
